Posts Tagged ‘ J. Shea ’

Hungry Eyeball sits down with Portland artist J Shea and talk about his process, discovery and upcoming shows…

> ( Your art process seems to be on a path of discovery… there are no blueprints, sketches, or solidified ideas… many artists are uncomfortable with this process, how did this develop? )

i think it has developed over time………..after many years in the commercial arts industry…………you grow conditioned to art direction and filterization of your projects………so in many ways its my way of breaking out of that…………..experimenting with a more free-form process……….i still start with an idea……and very loose sketches………..but once i start the sculpture process………it stays very loose…….open to change……….and grow………….its also 3-dimensional……so as you build the piece up…………..its open to move in different directions……….that makes the process much more exciting to me then following a blueprint process…….

as for discovery with this latest collection of work………….its been a lot of experimentation with materials…..and mediums……like clays,resins,plaster and wood………………..also with different types of finishes…………like stains and lacquers………i’m always trying to use new materials in my work……..
> ( Your sculptures use a lot of found objects, what are some of your favorite objects to find? )

anything with some history……….i like certain kinds of materials………..certain metals and all kinds of wood…….anything with some craft that may have had a sentimental value to someone from the past but has no real value in today’s culture…..i’m not sure what draws me to certain objects…………that remains a mystery……………but i enjoy the process of finding little things at yard sales & flea markets…….and its old world market interaction……………….i could never see myself searching for objects on-line…………i prefer the process of searching outdoors and enjoying the experience of it…….
> ( Can you tell us about your upcoming show in San Diego with Hellion Gallery, it seems you are literally thinking out of the box? )

matt wagner of hellion gallery recently opened up a new space in san diego…………. and has given me the opportunity of a solo exhibit……..with this show i’m thinking more about designing space then just laying work out on a wall……….for the last few years i’ve been experimenting with mobile type sculpture…..work that hangs from the ceiling……….and has kinetic movements…………..this show “a feeling of transience” takes those concepts to a new level……….and a larger scale………i am attempting to create sculpture that you can not only look at………but experience, because its surrounding you and moving at the same time…………its a bit a departure from my shadow box work………….but its been extremely rewarding creatively………..the work is moving more in the direction of installation……..and i’m excited that i’ve organically moved in that direction slowly over time……….
> ( Can you tell us about any other art shows or projects coming up? )

i’m fortunate to have a few galleries that present opportunities for me to create personal work……………so it will be another busy year in the studio………i’ll be involved in some shows later this year in chicago…….columbus,ohio………los angeles………and vancouver,b.c…………i feel its really important to get my work out there…………and find new audiences…………whether its a large city or small town………..its a little bit different when the work is sculpture………it often requires a present audience ………………….to see the fine details and craftsmanship…………….