I am thrilled to be included in artnet’s list of playful exhibitions to see this summer. Read the full article here.
designboom
“Dimensionality” is featured in an article on designboom:
“los angeles based artist jen stark transforms new york city’s joshua liner gallery from a white cube into a kaleidoscope of color with her inaugural solo exhibition ‘dimensionality.’ with the series, the artist continues to investigate a balance of ‘optical seduction and perceptual engagement.’ the organic geometries of each cloud-like piece imply kinetic and undulating qualities. the vibrant colors are expressive of the ‘attractant/repellent properties of flowers encouraging pollination or insects warning birds of their poisonous traits, and the luminous mystery of phosphorescent sea creatures,’ while the visual configurations ‘simulate plant growth, evolution, infinity, fractals, mimetic topographies, and sacred geometries.’
in her conceptual development, jen stark has taken influence from processes within the fields of mathematics and science. such formulaic processes include fractal growth, the fibonacci sequence, and riemannian geometry — the theoretical exploration of curved space in the flat universe. the artist elaborates: ‘I think a lot about fractals — one small shape that is identical to the next and keeps on going infinitely.‘ expressive of this concept is a suspended piece entitled ’30 cubed.’ the volume is grown of a serial sectioning of thirty aluminum sheets. from the front, a spiral fractal manifests from inside of the cube, moving outward.
dimensionality at joshua liner gallery features stark’s colorful paintings, sculptures, installations, and a mural. as the exhibition title suggests, stark plays with painting and sculpture by adding or accentuating the dimensions of her work, often transforming two-dimensional objects into three-dimensional ones. ‘squared,’ comprised of thirty-five square sheets of powder coated aluminum, inhabits the wall like a painting. each sheet, painted a different color, has a concentric square fold that extends outside the picture plane towards the viewer. stark adds an extra dimension to ethereal vortex by projecting subtle moving waves of light onto the surface of the painting using lightform, a device that projects augmented reality. the waves strobe and pulsate, creating the illusion of something static coming to life.”
Juxtapoz
Juxtapoz featured my solo show “Dimensionality” recently. See the full article here.
"Dimensionality" Solo show in NYC at Joshua Liner Gallery
I’m pleased to announce a solo show I’ll be having at Joshua Liner Gallery in NYC. The show will consist of new sculptures, paintings and installations that will open June 20th and run through July 19, 2019. Everyone is welcome to come check it out.
Opening reception: June 20 from 6-8pm (the artist will be present)
"30 Cubed", 2019, Powder coated aluminum and monofilament, 30 x 30 x 30 inches
Joshua Liner Gallery is pleased to announce Jen Stark's inaugural solo exhibition with the gallery, Dimensionality. The Los Angeles based artist will transform the white cube into a kaleidoscope of color. Dimensionality opens June 20 and will remain on view through July 19, 2019. The artist will attend the opening reception.
In her practice, Stark balances optical seduction and perceptual engagement. Imbued with kinetic, undulating effects, Stark’s work resembles organic, molecular, or cloud-like structures. At first glance, the artist’s compositions and vivid colors appear alien and otherworldly, when in fact they are based on the natural world. The vibrant colors are inspired by the “attractant/repellent properties of flowers encouraging pollination or insects warning birds of their poisonous traits, and the luminous mystery of phosphorescent sea creatures,” while the visual systems “simulate plant growth, evolution, infinity, fractals, mimetic topographies, and sacred geometries.” In addition to the biological, Starks’ atmospheric and minimalist configurations tap into the visual lineages of Yayoi Kusama, Sol Lewitt, Tara Donovan, Tom Friedman, Andy Goldsworthy, Ernst Haeckel, and the Finish Fetish artists of 1960s Los Angeles.
The fields of math, science, and physics also heavily influence Stark, most notably, concepts such as, optical illusions, The Fibonacci Sequence, fractals, and Riemannian geometry that explores the theory of curved space in the flat universe. As the artist explains, “I think a lot about fractals–one small shape that is identical to the next and keeps on going infinitely.” Suspended from the ceiling, 30 Squared, is a cube fashioned from thirty uniformly spaced aluminum sheets. From the front, a spiral fractal manifests from inside of the cube, moving outward.
Dimensionality features Stark’s colorful paintings, sculptures, installations, and a mural. As the exhibition title suggests, Stark plays with painting and sculpture by adding or accentuating the dimensions of her work, often transforming two-dimensional objects into three-dimensional ones. Squared, composed of thirty-five square sheets of powder coated aluminum, inhabits the wall like a painting. Each sheet, painted a different color, has a concentric square fold that extends outside the picture plane towards the viewer. Stark adds an extra dimension to Ethereal Vortex by projecting subtle moving waves of light onto the surface of the painting using Lightform, a device that projects augmented reality. The waves strobe and pulsate, creating the illusion of something static coming to life. Gradial Continuum transforms as the viewer walks around the work. One side of the sculpture features a full color gradient and a mirrored surface on the other. From the front, it appears as a cohesive composition of concentric circles, while from the side, it resembles an elongated sequence of rings.
Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11– 6 pm
Address: 540 West 28th Street, New York, NY 10001
P (212) 244-7415
Email: info@joshualinergallery.com
For press inquiries, please contact Christopher Borschel at chris@joshualinergallery.com
"Multiplicity" at Wilding Cran Gallery
I am excited to announce my newest animated installation at Wilding Cran Gallery Multiplicity opening November 17th, 2018 from 5-8 pm. On view through January 13th, 2019.
Composed of a psychedelic arrangement of multi-layered shapes in colorful and black and white gradients, Stark’s immersive animation creates a digital collage on the gallery wall that mimics designs in the natural and spiritual world. This undulating garden of abstract, multi-layered shapes slowly pulsates, blooms, and morphs in a hypnotic way, interacting with each visitor's movements. Stark invites the viewer to experience the installation as an interactive meditation, one that is both energizing and healing.
To create Multiplicity Jen Stark has partnered with artist and technologist, David Lewandowski. Interactive engineering by CutMod. Sound design by Jamie Vance.
Jen Stark’s art is driven by her interest in conceptualizing visual systems to simulate plant growth, evolution, infinity, fractals, mimetic topographies, and sacred geometries. She has realized exhibitions globally, with major shows in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Thailand, and Canada. Her work is in the collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the West Collection, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale and MOCA Miami, among others. Stark lives and works in Los Angeles. The show will run November 17 - January 13, 2018.
Customade Vans
Reversible Tote Bags
I made a new tote bag with LA Original. A percentage of the proceeds will go to MADE by DWC, a social enterprise operated by the Downtown Women's Center (DWC) that provides job training and transitional employment in product and retail environments for women transitioning out of homelessness. You can purchase one here.
Smashbox Cosmetics
I am excited to announce my newest collaboration with Smashbox Cosmetics. Shop the full collection here.
"Elemental" Group Show at William Turner Gallery
I’m thrilled to be in the group show “Elemental” at William Turner Gallery alongside the amazing artists Kelsey Brookes & Andy Moses. My new painting Ablaze (below) and more on view in Santa Monica, CA from September 15th to November 3rd.
Curator interviews artists from How They Ran
Glamour Italia
New article in Glamour Italia featuring Miami artists:
As Miami rapidly grows into the new mecca for public arts, creatives are beginning to flock for inspiration and a chance to be recognized in a community without much competition. When you hear the words "street art," typically one thing comes to mind: illegal graffiti, however we are living in a new age, a new reign of public artists and activists. While the act of graffiti is still very much alive and well throughout the world, there is a very significant difference for visual artists who utilize the streets and public spaces to share their messages of beauty and hope for a better society.
All three of these born and bread Miami visual artists work within multiple mediums including public walls, but not one of them derived from graffiti culture. However, their work crosses paths in the streets and throughout the world beautifying our public spaces, sidewalks and skylines.
Statistically speaking, women creatives have been forced to work double as hard as any male artist to hopefully get the same recognition. With that said, our time is now, our time is here and we have very important conversations to ignite with art, it's only the beginning of this revolution. In the future there will be no "female artists," there will just be artists.
Initially Jen Stark's large scale work public spaces in Los Angeles and Miami drew me to her, and to discover her kaleidoscope universe, but then I fell in love Her use of optical color waves in memorizing patterns has the ability to hypnotize you while unintentionally leaving a smile on your face. The narrative may seem abstract to the viewer but her intention is not only to make beautiful pieces of art but also use her art to create a greener planet.
Q & A:
You went to art school in Maryland at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), where you majored in Fibers and minored in Animation. How did your studies there influence your practice as a visual artist?
After graduating high school in 2001 I decided to attend MICA in Baltimore. I took classes in many different departments (General Fine Arts, Sculpture, Ceramics, etc) but eventually settled on Fibers because it was such an open major and had amazing professors like: Annet Couwenberg and Susie Brandt. We were taught many different standard techniques in Fibers (like sewing, dyeing, felting, weaving, etc) but were encouraged to experiment with whatever concepts and materials we were interested in. Most Fibers majors shared a love of repetition and detail oriented work. It was a very open major and I loved that about it, since I could explore any theme and medium I wanted. It helped me discover and refine my love of layered repetition with paper and other materials. I still use the techniques I learned in college to create my work today.
Many female artists across the world are only just receiving their recognition. How do you feel about this shift in attitude?
I think the time is finally here for women to be seen as equals all around the world. We have been unfairly suppressed and judged for far too long. I think electing a president that is so misogynistic was a huge shock and outrage for many of us, but it is shining light on these realities and forcing us to face them and be inspired to create change. In the art world, women artists are constantly under represented. I think we still have a long road ahead of us, but it is slowly beginning to change. It's great that these issues are finally getting some light.
Have you had many role models in your professional career?
Many of my teachers and family members have been important role models for me. My grandpa helped fueled my passion for art. He was a watercolor painter, who liked to paint things like sailboats, the everglades, landscapes and birds. My parents also nurtured that creative side of me, and put me in art classes throughout my whole life. I'm inspired by the artwork of Yayoi Kusama, Sol Lewitt, Tara Donovan, Tom Friedman, Andy Goldsworthy and Ernst Haeckel among others.
You have commonly, but selectively, worked in highly public places, like the Miami International Airport and at Miami’s Hardrock Stadium. What are a few of the misconceptions about being a visual artist, who occasionally works on walls? And do you feel as though being incorrectly classified as a “street artist” can actually hinder your fine art career?
I think being an artist in today's world means working in many different mediums, genres and challenging the idea of a conventional gallery artist or street artist. Being a 'street artist' in the art world has a stigma attached to it. I feel like some artists get pigeon-holed into this one category and it somehow feels tainted in the art world. I've painted some outdoor murals, but I've also shown my work in galleries & museums and try to push the boundaries on the definition of art. The art world is constantly changing and evolving, and I feel the people who create 'rules' on an artists career path have a dated way of thinking. I try not to concern myself too much with what people say, and just keep moving forward in my own way and pursuing my dreams.
I know that creating a more sustainable and greener planet is a very important characteristic in your artistic practice. Do you have any advice for other artists on how they can incorporate this into their work, and how even the smallest change can create a large impact as an artist?
Living a more sustainable life and being in harmony with nature is very important to me. I try to do this both in both my personal and professional life. I'm trying to bring some big renewable energy ideas to fruition in my large scale artwork. Its important we make changes now to help our environment and the planet stay healthy. Even small changes, like trying to choose more biodegradable, non-toxic materials and lowering our carbon footprint will be important steps. Not supporting wasteful and toxic companies is another way to make a difference. It begins with changes in our personal lives, and I feel it is an artists responsibility to bring awareness to these issues.
"How They Ran" Group Show at Over The Influence Gallery, Los Angeles
My newest mirrored piece is on view at Over The Influence in Los Angeles until September 5th: Infinity Spiral, 2018, laser cut mirrored acrylic, epoxy, wood, 96 x 96 in.
Taking the name from the second chapter of Germaine Greer’s landmark text “The Obstacle Race” from 1979, “How They Ran” brings together a selected group of LA-based artists whose diverse practices represent the heartbeat of the Los Angeles art scene today. Greer’s book presented an art historical account of artists who are missing from academic literature and how they overcame historical obstacles to achieve notoriety anyway. Through this lens, Over the Influence will present a group exhibition of LA-based artists from different backgrounds, practices, and generations.
The artists featured in “How They Ran” are Miya Ando, Amanda Maciel Antunes, Lisa Anne Auerbach, Uta Barth, Whitney Bedford, Tanya Brodsky, Kelly Brumfield-Woods, Jo Ann Callis, Katy Cowan, Dinah Diwan, Francesca Gabbiani, Mercedes Helnwein, Pamela Smith Hudson, Barbara Kruger, Alice Lang, Hilary Pecis, Ke Peng, Vanessa Prager, Monique Prieto, Jennifer Rochlin, Anja Salonen, Kim Schoenstadt, Ali Silverstein, Jen Stark, Kerry Tribe, Lesley Vance, Lisa Diane Wedgeworth, and Megan Whitmarsh.
American Craft Magazine Cover
My artwork is featured on the cover of American Craft Magazine "The Color Issue" for their August/September 2018 issue. It includes a great 8 page article "Good Vibrations" by Neil Janowitz. Cover Photo by Rony Alwin.
LA Original Pop-up Shop @MOCA
I'm thrilled to have some flower pots & reversible tote bags at the LA Original Pop-up Shop at MOCA!
Launch party is Thursday, July 12th at MOCA: 250 S Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA
Join us to celebrate the launch of our latest pop-up shop at the MOCA Store, featuring a new selection of LA Original products designed by some of LA's dynamic makers and artists. Our summer collection, which includes everything from decorative housewares to street apparel, is a technicolor reflection of our city's incredible creative community. A percentage of the proceeds will go to MADE by DWC, a social enterprise operated by the Downtown Women's Center (DWC) that provides job training and transitional employment in product and retail environments for women transitioning out of homelessness. LA Original is a pilot program of the Mayor's Fund for Los Angeles and Mayor's Office of Economic Development in support of LA's unique, local creative economy.
New Article on Quiet Lunch
New article be Danny Brody up on Quiet Lunch. Read it in full here.
Art on Paper Fair
I created a new book: "Sketchbook: 2015-2017" (limited edition of 10) for the Art on Paper Fair in New York.
Cinders Gallery Booth
Art on Paper Fair
March 8-11, 2018
299 South Street - Pier 36, Downtown Manhattan
Artists Participating:
Tahiti Pehrson, Michelle Blade, Emma Kohlmann, Chris Duncan, Alexis Anne Mackenzie, Langdon Graves, Edie Fake, Serra Victoria Bothwell Fels, Neil Farber and Michael Dumontier, Michael Velliquette, Jessie Rose Vala, Kevin Hooyman, Hilary Pecis, Thomas Campbell, Jen Stark, Alexis Beauclair, Icinori, Nathaniel Russell, Anthea Belm, Heather Benjamin, Kelie Bowman, Sto Len, Brendan Monroe, Kim Schifino, Brian Chippendale, Christian Gfeller, Anna Hellsgard, Elaine Su-Hei, Golnar Adili
Tunnel Vision
"Tunnel Vision" a 20ft x 5ft x 5ft outdoor public sculpture. On view through April 22nd, 2018.
Commissoned by Santa Monica Cultural Affairs and curated by LeBasse Projects
ROAM Series
120 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Designed by Jen Stark, “Tunnel Vision” is a tunnel of cascading ring shapes that morph shape and color. The front of the sculpture begins as an organic inner shape, which slowly morphs into a circle in the back. From one perspective, the sculpture is colored in a vivid rainbow gradient. The opposite end of the sculpture changes color scheme into black and white, creating an optical illusion and two unique perspectives of the piece. In this revealed element of surprise, viewers are encouraged walk around and interact with the sculpture. The sculpture also provides an oasis for neighbors and visitors to sit, relax and contemplate. Commissioned by Santa Monica Cultural Affairs through their ROAM series of temporary art installations. Curated by LeBasse Projects.
"Holographic Gradient" Limited Edition Print
New print "Holographic Gradient" available here. Limited edition of 150.
2 Color Hand Printed Serigraph, each is a 5 color split fountain. Printed on Mirri Rainbow 280gsm acid-free, archival holographic paper. Each print is hand pulled and no 2 prints are exactly alike. Holographic effect changes depending on lighting & surroundings.
Las Jaras Wine Label
Created a new wine label for the incredible 2016 Pétillant Naturel Sparkling Rosé by Las Jaras Wine. Limited amount available for purchase here.
A State of Infinite Division Group Show at Winsor Gallery
Newest plexi sculpture and mandala painting are in a group show curated by Brooke Wise at Winsor Gallery in Vancouver, BC, on view through February 24.
"Ethereal Sequence", 2018, acrylic sheet, monofilament, 23 x 23 x 13
Hanging in front of a Thrush Holmes wall piece.
"Prisma Chrome", 2017, acrylic on wood, 46 x 46 x 1 in
