Vintage 1910 photograph of Charles Russell painting from the collection of the Colorado Springs Fine Art Center.

BOSTON, MASS. – The Alpha Gallery has opened an exhibition of new paintings by Scott Prior, on view until December 5. An illustrated catalog has been published in conjunction with the exhibition, with an essay by the artist.

Prior has spent nearly 25 years exploring the emotional and formal possibilities inherent in his landscapes and scenes of domesticity. He creates surreal images of middle-of-nowhere places, mystical images of still life objects bathed in light, and interiors and portraits celebrating family life in all its complexities.

Prior’s new paintings seem to contain elements of all these aspects of his work. “Fun Spot, Salisbury Beach” portrays an abandoned amusement park complete with rotting wood and metal structures and odd objects scattered on the ground. Much like earlier works portraying vacation spots off-season, this painting combines surrealism with a longing for something that once was.

Prior’s work is represented in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Rose Art Museum, Brandeis University, Fidelity Investments and Wellington Management. He was the subject of a retrospective exhibition at the DeCordova Museum in 1999.

Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5:30 pm. Alpha Gallery is at 14 Newbury Street; 617-536-4465.