JESS LEVIN: Dreamscapes
Clay Art Center Gallery, June 22 - Aug 03, 2024
Jess Levin earned a BFA from the State University of New York at Purchase, NY, concentrating in ceramics with hints of fabrics to show the balance between the soft and the fragile. They are currently a second-year resident at Clay Art Center. They use a bright, colorful, cartoonish sculpting style to bring to life a narrative of self-exploration and expression.
Artist Statement
“The colorful yet quiet animal-human hybrids I create communicate a sense of serenity and relationship between fauna and human. The horned animal carries a sense of power and masculinity which I soften using a more feminine anthropomorphic form. Imagination is an essential part of any child. Playing pretend as a child is a gateway into self-exploration. With this in mind, I take a more mythical approach with my practice by taking these horned animals and imagining them in a more whimsical way, often shown through the vibrant colors chosen for them. I’ve also begun to introduce other creatures, such as mermaids and fairies. These beings live in harmony in the dreamlike world I’ve created for them.
As I’m moving forward in this direction, I continue to be inspired by animals, specifically woodland creatures, as they tend to just exist in serenity and peace.. Everything from color to clothing design to specific textures is highly considered, as well as the activity these characters are performing. Giving my pieces fiber additions, such as subtle stitching and lace, juxtaposes the cold and hard connotation that clay typically carries. To further this relationship, I have begun to make quilts that play with my ceramic pieces and give them a home to live in, as well as add an immersive layer to them. These small yet vital parts of my work act as a security blanket, and a transition between the world I am creating and the world we are familiar with.”
Watch a short video of Jess Levin speaking about “Dreamscapes”.
