What an incredible evening!!
I cannot fully express my gratitude for this experience. From God to the gallery to my family and friends, there are so many things to be grateful for!
When Brian (Blinedot) Spillman took the reins of the curator role at Axis Gallery in Seattle a couple months back he hit the ground running. His all-offense approach quickly had us on a call that resulted in locking the date for this show. Axis, with its primary use as an event space, boasts contemporary art within its very Seattle-ish industrial interior. Located on 1st Avenue in Pioneer Square, the space frequently pushes its occupant capacity with its first Thursday art walks. August 1st was no exception.
Coming into this event I was very excited to show to a new audience in a format that was so well suited to my aesthetic. The large brick walls and hardwood floors with its industrial ambiance complimented my graffiti-based style perfectly. As well, the vast amount of space for showing art provided a great opportunity to showcase my collection of larger works. Yet the end state vision of my work, though it suits industrial spaces quite well, is one of enhancing beautiful spaces and bringing a new level of dimensionality that would not exist otherwise.
"Peace be with you" | 64" X 64" is one of a handful of new pieces in my typical "typograffic abstraction" style. On display at this exhibition, the work takes captive the viewer as the stillness of the moment is broken by a composition that appears to be in motion. It's edgy and modern look is juxtaposed by an old-world expression "Vobis Pacem" in an almost obsolete but beloved academic language, Latin. Many ironic and contrasting comparisons of this statement in a language used by an ancient culture that was anything but peaceful did not escape me during the process of this work. Furthermore, it is a beautiful encapsulation of the dramas of this life, a totality of all things within the whole, a point which I desire to be contemplated by many.
"Intelligent in Nature" | 54" x 78" is an elaboration of a previous work. Originally painted in 2020, the glimmers of the first work "El Poder" can still be seen in the upper left portion of the painting. As the development of my artistic style "Typograffic Abstraction" crystallized into higher levels of refinement, I revisited a handful of works with the intent to recapture the narrative and tell the story in a new way. When "El Poder" spoke to the divine nature of God's power residing within us, "Intelligent in Nature" speaks to us about the intelligence of that power and the far-reaching implications of meaning within it.
As I think back on opening night, I am again left with such gratitude for all the tremendous moves that God has made in my life. That He has entrusted me to be a spokesman for His word and a leader in my industry. As I continue to walk the path, I am discovering new life and understanding. I am led in an even greater direction and downloaded with fresh vision, much of which I can't what to share with you in the future! I thank you all so much for spending your time with me and exploring these new works. Much love, many blessings!
-Jared
For all purchase inquiries please contact jared@mrjaredmichael.com
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