Jacob A. Pfeiffer
“Suspension”
Meyer Gallery
Jacob A. Pfeiffer “Suspension” Recent oil Paintings
October 6-19, 2017
Meyer Gallery 225 Canyon Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 505.983.1434 800.779.7387 www.MeyerGalleries.com
Jacob A. Pfeiffer is a young artist who hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1996 with highest honors. Pfeiffer's technique is impeccable, precise, and uncannily accurate. His latest work consists of tightly rendered still lifes containing a wide variety of objects. Purposefully provocative compositions are constructed with meticulous and time consuming craftsmanship. A rich and deeply saturated palette is used to depict a myriad of complex textures. Pfeiffer designs his spaces with a deceptive simplicity that resonates with a sense of volume, drama, power and above all, humor. The resulting work has found a wide array of admiring collectors and has also garnered the attention of the art press, being featured in American Arts Quarterly, Art News, The Artist’s Magazine and gracing the covers of American Artist, Southwest Art and American Art Collector. His inclusion in several high profile museum shows attest to the status of this successful young artist. Jacob lives in Madison, WI with his wife and two children.
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Wisconsin painter Jacob Pfeiffer creates tension between lighthearted wordplay and meticulous realism in his solo exhibition, “Suspension,” on display from October 6th through October 12th. Works in the show will depict objects that are visually suspended on strings as well as moments that are suspended in time, encouraging the viewer to pause for deeper contemplation of the intended narrative. Pfeiffer’s paintings are named with metaphors that playfully articulate the visual scenario while revealing deeper themes found within the painting. “The titles offer the viewer a glimpse into the narrative of the piece,” says Pfeiffer. “Idioms, puns and wordplay hopefully add another level of enjoyment to the viewing experience.”
“Key to the Kingdom” oil 10x6
“Love” oil 8x5
“Scales” oil 20x24
Other titles from the show including “Apple Sauce” and “Party Crasher” humorously suggest the deadly outcome of an anticipated moment. The paintings depict bowling balls hovering in midair above a bowl of awaiting apples or an exquisite, untouched birthday cake. Pfeiffer constructs each moment in his studio in order to paint the scenes from life. “In some cases, I suspend objects from strings or build armatures to hold my subject matter in interesting (or impossible) scenarios,” he says.
“Party Crasher” oil 26.5x16.5
“Fresh Start” oil 9x7
On the previous page: “Rock
Candy” oil 9x12
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In “Scales II,” for example, Pfeiffer paints a single goldfish quietly suspended in water. The fishbowl is placed on a vintage kitchen scale while the eye of the goldfish peers nervously toward the viewer. “Aside from the obvious play on words, I am exploring themes of impermanence and solitude,” explains Pfeiffer.
“Scales II” oil 20x12
In “Balls,” Pfeiffer paints three plastic bags that are held by strings and filled with various iterations of the title including a football, baseball and gumballs. “The inspiration behind this painting was my exploration of American past times and ways people entertain themselves,” says Pfeiffer. “The objects reference our obsession with sports, pop culture and consumerism.”
On the previous page: “Balls” oil 24x36
“Orange Crush” oil 26.5x16.5
“Apple Sauce” oil 26.5x16.5
On the previous page: “Spilling
the Beans” oil 8x10
“Hand in Hand� oil 8x14 meyergalleries.com
Pfeiffer’s wit is portrayed with masterful technique as he paints each object with intense detail and a saturated color palette. Pfeiffer juxtaposes subjects with varied shapes and textures to create visually captivating paintings such as “Odd Ball II,” where a decorated candy apple sits next to two unadorned radishes like an overdressed dinner guest. Pfeiffer’s deceptively simple paintings are introspective and intelligent, calling for an initial visceral response and prolonged contemplation.
“Odd Ball II” oil 13x15
“Low Hanging Fruit: Mixed Bag” oil 18x24
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“Broken Link” oil 8x16
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“Cubism III” oil 7x6
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Jacob A. Pfeiffer BORN: July 14th, 1974, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Price List
EDUCATION: Milwaukee High School of the Arts, Milwaukee, WI University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, BS in Art Education, 1996
SOLO EXHIBITIONS: 2015 “Observations and Revelations”, Meyer East Gallery, Santa Fe, NM 2014 John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2013 “Still Lifes with a Twist”, Meyer East Gallery, Santa Fe, NM 2012 John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2011 Meyer East Gallery, Santa Fe, NM 2010 Meyer East Gallery, Santa Fe, NM 2009 John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2008 Meyer East Gallery, Santa Fe, NM 2007 John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA GROUP EXHIBITIONS: 2017 National Contemporary Realism Exhibition, M.A. Doran Gallery, Tulsa, OK New Year’s Group Exhibition, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA Valentine Group Show, M.A. Doran Gallery, Tulsa, OK 2016 Wisconsin Artist Biennial, Museum of Wisconsin Art, West Bend, WI Four Artists to Watch, (4 person Show) John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA Valentine’s Show, M.A. Doran Gallery, Tulsa, OK National Contemporary Realism Exhibition, M.A. Doran Gallery, Tulsa, OK All Things Considered, Tree’s Place Gallery, Orleans, MA The Language of Objects, Principle Gallery, Alexandria, VA Still Life Invitational, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA Small Works, Principle Gallery, Alexandria, VA Holiday Exhibition, M.A. Doran Gallery, Tulsa, OK 2015 Star Wars: Visions, Mori Arts Center, Tokyo, Japan Valentines Group Show, M.A. Doran Gallery, Tulsa, OK National Contemporary Realism Exhibition, M.A. Doran Gallery, Tulsa, OK Small but Powerful - the Animate and Inanimate, Tree’s Place, Orleans, MA Still life and Florals, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA Figures and Interiors, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA Small Works Show, Principle Gallery, Alexandria, VA 2014 National Contemporary Realism Exhibition, M.A. Doran Gallery, Tulsa, OK Art in Bloom, Tree’s Place, Orleans, MA Drawings, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Still life, Florals and Trompe l’Oeil, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA Figures and Interiors, John Pence Gallery, San Francisco, CA These Are a Few of My Favorite Things, Principle Gallery, Charleston, SC A Holiday Celebration, M.A. Doran Gallery, Tulsa, OK AWARDS: 2016 Honorable Mention, 2016 Wisconsin Artist Biennial, Museum Of Wisconsin Art, West Bend, WI 2012 Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission: Featured Poster artist Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission: Calendar Award Honorable Mention in the category of Still Life, The Artist Magazine Annual Art Competition Calendar Award, The Artist Magazine Annual Art Competition 2009 Finalist in the Portrait Category, The Artist Magazine Annual Art Competition 2008 Honorable Mention in the category of Still Life, 25th Annual Art Competition, The Artist’s Magazine 2002- 2014 Finalist in the category of Still Life, The Artists Magazine Annual Art Competition 1995 Porter Butts Purchase Award at 64th Annual Juried Art Exhibition, Madison WI CORPORATE COLLECTIONS: Lucas Films, (personal collection of George Lucas) San Francisco, CA City of San Diego Art Collection, San Diego, CA Seven Bridges Foundation, Greenwich, CT Howard Tullman collection, Chicago, IL Bahl and Gaynor, Cincinnati, OH Museum of Bags, Washington D.C. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Memorial Union Art Collection, Madison, WI YOUR FLESH Magazine Corporate collection, Minneapolis, MN Jordan Fine Arts, San Francisco, CA John Pence Collection, San Francisco, CA David Jacobs Fine Art, Santa Monica, CA Fremont Group, San Francisco, CA North American Properties, Cincinnati, OH Williamson – Dickie Manufacturing Company, Forth Worth, TX
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Jacob A Pfeiffer- “Suspension” Price List Key to the Kingdom
10x6
$3,000
Love
8x5
$2,500
Scales
20x24
$8,500
Party Crasher
26.5x16.5
$8,000
Rock Candy
9x12
$3,800
Fresh Start
9x7
$3,000
Scales II
20x12
$5,000
Balls
24x36
$16,000
Orange Crush
26.5x16.5
$8,000
Spilling the Beans
8x10
$3,200
Apple Sauce
26.5x16.5
$8,000
Hand in Hand
8x14
$3,800
Odd Ball II
13x15
$5,000
Low Hanging Fruit: Mixed Bag
18x24
$5,500
Broken Link
8x16
$4,000
Cubism III
7x6
$2,500
Hot Cake
8x8
$3,200 meyergalleries.com
“Hot Cake” oil 8x8
Jacob A. Pfeiffer “Suspension” October 6-19, 2017 Opening Reception Friday October 6, 2017 5 to 7pm
Meyer Gallery 225 Canyon Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 505.983.1434 800.779.7387 www.MeyerGalleries.com