Space Stations and Satellites 1985

John Berkey made this painting of space stations and satellites sometime in the 20th century, probably with acrylic or oil. The marks are so smooth, it’s as if he’s airbrushing the cosmos. Look at the satellite closest to us. The paint is layered in such a way that it gives the impression of a machine made up of different panels and textures. The light catches these details in surprising ways, it is almost as if the satellite is a complex jigsaw puzzle of reflective surfaces. The real kick, though, is how Berkey captures the feeling of being out there, floating in the dark. It reminds me of Chesley Bonestell’s space paintings, or maybe even some of those old sci-fi book covers. Berkey seems to be saying that outer space is not just a place, but a vast canvas of endless possibilities.