By: Tibby Plasse
At Gold Mountain Gallery on Jackson’s historic Wort Plaza, David Yarrow’s large-format photography is the gravitational center.
Pairing David Yarrow’s Larger Than Life Photography with Regional Americana
His cinematic images set the vibe for a showroom where fine art, regional Americana, and one-of-a-kind objects come together in a carefully curated vision of the West. Beneath them, local artists add to that vision, including Jackson craftsman Blake Lewis, whose sculptural furniture complements Yarrow’s larger-than-life images.
“Blake creates one-of-a-kind, heirloom-quality furniture inspired by mid-century modern design,” says Gold Mountain Gallery manager Trevor Ruffner. “His pieces are striking and elegant, with distinctive angles and craftsmanship that make his work instantly recognizable.”
Lewis is one of the newest additions to the gallery’s roster.
“BLAKE CREATES ONE-OF-A KIND, HEIRLOOM-QUALITY FURNITURE INSPIRED BY MID-CENTURY MODERN DESIGN. HIS PIECES ARE STRIKING AND ELEGANT, WITH DISTINCTIVE ANGLES AND CRAFTSMANSHIP THAT MAKE HIS WORK INSTANTLY RECOGNIZABLE.”
-Live edge Hawaiian Koa slab table with Mahogany legs | Lewis Woodworks
“He’s been a wonderful addition, and the team is excited to continue showcasing new pieces from him throughout the year,” says Ruffner.
Seamlessly, Lewis’ eye for structure is seen in the custom black walnut stand he created for Yarrow’s limited-edition sumo book, The Collection.
“The stands are beautifully crafted and elevate the presentation of the book as functional works of art themselves,” says Ruffner.
-Sinclair Oil II, Edition of 12 | Photography | Standard: 49” x 84” | La rge: 65” x 118” | David Yarrow
-The White Lady, Edition of 12 | Photography | Available in color and black & white | Standard: 52” x 60” | Large: 71” x 83” | David Yarrow
Also new to the gallery this year are additional works by Matt Downer of Matt Downer Designs and Jonathan Ward’s Campfire Coats.
Downer’s exquisite finishes elevate the concept of play from familiar pastimes into design objects. His walnut shuffleboard tables feature live-edge wood wrapping around the entire table, bringing Downer’s extraordinary craftsmanship to an object often treated as purely for play.
“It feels far beyond a traditional game table,” Ruffner says. The gallery also features some of Downer’s illuminated wood and stone sculptures.
“IN A LARGE PIECE, NOTHING CAN BE HIDDEN.”
-1960’s Cotton Beacon Campfire Coat Ombre | Campfire Coats
Gold Mountain’s approach to lifestyle centers on what Ruffner describes as “a curated mix of fine art, bespoke furniture, collectible Americana, and one-of-a-kind craftsmanship pieces.”
Ward, the founder and designer behind ICON 4×4, embodies that same bespoke, in-the-field sensibility to Campfire Coats. His one-of-a-kind, hand-sewn jackets are made from vintage blankets, combining rugged Western heritage with elevated craftsmanship.
In keeping with its featured designers and artists, the gallery continues to expand its selection of vintage aviation and Americana pieces, including rare finds like an ejection seat from a Phantom fighter jet, polished aircraft cowling mirrors, vintage and antique binoculars, and new steampunk-inspired collectibles.
The space and collections are playful without being pretentious, capturing the itinerary-based lifestyle of mountain culture—from dawn patrol through a viewfinder to vintage gaming machines at happy hour. Lamps, desks, and artifacts sit beneath the gravitational pull of Gold Mountain Gallery: Yarrow’s larger-than-life photography.
-Being John McEnroe, Editon of 20 | Photography | Available in color and black & white | Standard: 52” x 80” | Large: 71” x 114” | David Yarrow
-Mille Miglia, Edition of 12 | Photography | Available in color and black & white | Standard: 52” x 75” | Large: 71” x 105” | David Yarrow
Ruffner says Yarrow spent much of this past winter producing new work in Jackson Hole that celebrates a mature sensibility for pop art but with a child’s sense of wonder. Among Yarrow’s locations and characters this winter was a standout series featuring tennis legend John McEnroe at the iconic Silver Dollar Bar inside the Wort Hotel, along with a new cowboy bar series incorporating an ICON 4×4 Bronco.
“Another notable release was White Lady photographed at Oxbow Bend with model Josie Canseco and a striking red Ferrari set against the dramatic Mount Moran,” says Ruffner.
Yarrow’s recently released Twilight was photographed at a private residence north of town in Kelly.
“ANOTHER NOTABLE RELEASE WAS THE WHITE LADY, PHOTOGRAPHED AT OXBOW BEND WITH MODEL JOSIE CANSECO AND A STRIKING RED FERRARI SET AGAINST THE DRAMATIC MOUNT MORAN.”
-Leopard wood & mahogany with red epoxy chessboard | Lewis Woodworks
“The image—a powerful portrait of a woman holding a firearm—has already generated strong interest, and there is anticipation that the edition will sell out quickly,” Ruffner says.
Yarrow was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1966 and took up photography at an early age. At 20, he was working as a photographer for The London Times on the pitch at the World Cup Final in Mexico City, where he captured his famous picture of Diego Maradona holding the World Cup. The photograph helped launch his photojournalism career, and Yarrow was subsequently asked to cover the Olympics and numerous other sporting events.
Years later, Yarrow’s evocative and immersive photography remains distinctive and has earned him a growing following among art collectors.
–Twilight, Edition of 12 | Photography | Available in color and black & white | Standard: 46” x 92” | Large: 56” x 118” | David Yarrow
His work is surreal and potent. No detail is without intention. “In a large piece, nothing can be hidden,” says Ruffner.
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