Malcolm Christilf used to paint objects because he believed they possessed a subconscious meaning.

The juxtaposition of the objects in a still-life created a "symbolic narrative" that made sense more as a dream than a story with a plot, he said.

"It was Surrealism, basically," said Christilf, whose work will be shown today through Oct. 31 in Weyers-Sampson Art Gallery of Howard Miller Student Center, Thiel College, Greenville.

While he's still painting objects, he no longer overtly buys into them having a meaning beyond what they are: a plastic cup, a skull, a marble, a jar.

"More and more, they're just an expression of themselves," said the assistant professor of art at Edinboro University. "Looking at things becomes more of the aim."

Christilf, who teaches design, drawing and painting at Edinboro, said he has never resolved why he picks certain objects to paint, other than for their form and color. They tend to be sculptural and timeless, he said.

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