josh jefferson
head into the trees
Josh Jefferson / Head Into The Trees November 13-December 30, 2015
Gallery 16 is thrilled to announce our first exhibition with Boston-based artist Josh Jefferson. Jefferson’s painting and works on paper balance on a line between figureation and abstraction. His work is a celebration of abandon and control. It retains a palpable sense of the joy in it’s making and the struggling to maintain order. Jefferson’s choice of materials often reinforce the sense of playfulness in his work. The artist uses crayons, colored pencils and common acrylic paint, often upon the pages of art history books. It is not uncommon to turn over a Jefferson drawing to find the image of a famous work by Mondigliani or Titian. 2015 has been an exciting year for the artist. He has mounted shows in New York and Los Angeles as well as a number of feature articles including Forbes Magazine. His work has become an internet sensation with tens of thousands of Instagram followers, proving that new ways to discover the arts are constantly evolving. In a interview with Beautiful/Decay, Jefferson described his style and motivations: “What really gets me excited is when I see a painting that seems effortless — when an artist has confidence and it appears that the painting came about like one fast whiplash moment. If I could convey that feeling of loose abandon and control I would be happy. The distortions and geometric interpretations in my drawings and paintings act as structures for me to build on and react to. I kind of need to repeat things to find their meaning, and the structures help with this process.” Jefferson’s work combines material experimentation and visual simplicity. He frequently uses a collage process of cutting and combining previously painted works into a harmonious whole. Jefferson seems less concerned with the results of his labor, than he does with the enchantment of the studio alchemy. He makes objective and non objective work with equal regard. In order for this equilibrium to exist, curiosity must be the guiding voice. His improvisational style may be formed by his devotion to experimental jazz. Like his playing, his visual art is an accumulation of chance moments and intense focus.
gallery 16 / 501 Third st / san francisco, ca / 415 626 7495 / gallery16.com
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“The skills I have aquired as a collage artist has elevated this current work, and lead me to exploit textures and create a richer, deeper surface that helps with the illusion of the image. The whole process has become a somewhat guided form of visual alchemy.” Adam Lehrer of Forbes Magazine: I read that you like when a painting feels effortless. Do you think that the seeking of perfection hinders upon the emotional impact of art? Josh Jefferson: Well, if something feels effortless, then it probably wasn’t. Or maybe it was effortless but only after an accumulation of years of repeating that process. Look at Alex Katz, whose work looks so simple but he’s just so good. It takes a really long time to achieve that. Forbes: Who are some artists that influenced you in that regard and you think are emblematic of a certain style? JJ: An artist that I really love is Tal R, a German painter. His paintings appear effortless. Like he just stepped up and figured it out. Also, Misaki Kawai has that effortless vibe, but also that humor that I love. I think Picasso was able to work like this. More of my favorites include Bill Traylor, David Hockney, Ray Johnson, and Louise Bourgeois.
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Gallery 16 Editions
Gallery 16 Editions is pleased to announce the release of four new prints with Josh Jefferson. These original prints involve print and collage elements and are inspired by the loose gestural drawings by the artist. The prints are limited to an edition of 10. Pigment and collage on Arches Cold Press 356 gsm.
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Image List Cover: Hairy Tree, 22x28 inches, flashe, acrylic and ink on canvas 1-2. Josh Jefferson Studio Detail, Boston, Ma. 4. Josh Jefferson Studio Detail, Boston, Ma. 5. A Cover Up, 16x20 inches, flashe, acrylic and ink on canvas 6. Blue Tree, 20x16 inches flashe, acrylic and ink on canvas 7. Little Blue Tree, 26x24 inches flashe, acrylic and ink on canvas 8. Double Top, 28x30, inches flashe, acrylic and ink on canvas 9. Hunter Head, 55x51 inches flashe, acrylic and ink on canvas 10. Crying to Lose, 4x5 feet, flashe, acrylic and ink on canvas 11. Portrait Of My Son, 2015 9 x 12 inches collage on paper 12. Self Portrait, 2015 9 x 12 inches collage on paper 13. Untitled, 2015 9 x 12 inches collage on paper 14. Berry, 2015 9 x 12 inches collage on paper 15. Untitled, 2015 9 x 12 inches collage on paper 16. Joey, 2015 9 x 12 inches collage on paper 17. Untitled, 2015 9 x 12 inches collage on paper 18. Untitled, 2015 9 x 12 inches collage on paper 19. Untitled, 2015 9 x 12 inches collage on paper 20. Untitled, 2015 9 x 12 inches collage on paper 21. Hunter, 2015 9 x 12 inches collage on paper 22. Tree 4, 2015 9 x 12 inches collage on paper 23. Happy Go Lucky, 9x12 inches, Collage on paper 24. Untitled Head 4, 7x10 inches, Gouache and pencil on vintage paper 25. Duck Head, 9x12 inches, Collage on paper 26. Big Head Monday, 2015 28 x 32 inches flashe, acrylic and ink on canvas 27.Simon, 26x28 inches flashe, acrylic and ink on canvas
28. Lisa Who? 9 x 12 inches collage on paper 29. Deb Head, 20x22 inches flashe, acrylic and ink on canvas 30. Hairy Tree Top, 24x26 inches flashe, acrylic and ink on canvas 31. Dark Tree, 32x40 inches flashe, acrylic and ink on canvas 32. Hairy Tree, 22x28 inches flashe, acrylic and ink on canvas 33. Big Blue Tree, 2015, 48 x 60 inches flashe, acrylic and ink on canvas 34. Tree #5, 2015, 16 x 20 inches flashe, acrylic and ink on canvas 35. Untitled #12, 9 x 12 inches collage on paper 37. A Dribble Down, 2015, 7 x 10 inches gouache and ink on vintage paper 38. Head #10, 2014 7 x 10 inches gouache and ink on vintage paper 41. Hunter, 2014, 7.5 x 9.5 inches gouache, sumi ink and pencil on vintage paper 42. Self Portrait, 2014, 7 x 9 inches gouache and crayon on paper 45 Cover Up, 2015, 9 x 12 inches collage on paper 46. I Can’t See You, 2015 9 x 12 inches collage on paper 47. Head #12, 7x10, Collage on paper
48. Head With A View, 2014, 8.25 x 10.75 inches collage on paper 49. Self Portrait #2, 2015, 9 x 12 inches collage on paper 50. Looking For A Hideout, 18x12 inches Collage on paper 53-54. Head 7, 34x47, Pigment and collage on Arches Cold Press 356 gsm 54-55. Head 19, 34x47, Pigment and collage on Arches Cold Press 356 gsm 56-57. Head 3, 34x47, Pigment and collage on Arches Cold Press 356 gsm 58-59. Head 9, 34x47, Pigment and collage on Arches Cold Press 356 gsm
Gallery 16 Gallery 16 was founded by artist Griff Williams in 1994. Since then, Gallery 16 and its fine art imprint Gallery 16 Editions has produced exhibitions with over 250 artstis and published over 800 prints, artist books, and multiples with artists including Michelle Grabner, Ari Marcopoulos, Ala Ebtekar, Jim Goldberg, Colter Jacobsen, Bill Berkson, Harrell Fletcher, Lynn Hershman, Amy Franceschini, Mark Grotjahn, William Kentridge, Tucker Nichols, Rebeca Bollinger, Libby Black, Deborah Oropallo, Jim Isermann, bell hooks, Ann Chamberlain, Elliot Anderson, Rebeca Bollinger, Rex Ray, Margaret Kilgallen, Darren Waterston.
Josh Jefferson’s artwork is available through Gallery 16. Gallery 16 is located at 501 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94107. Inquiries may contact Griff Williams at 415-626-7495. All images Š Josh Jefferson gallery16.com