Jason Leinwand "Releasing an Inner Serpent G-d" 2007
Jason Leinwand is one of my favorite recent discoveries of the past year. I dig him so much in fact that I chose one of his pieces to be the promo image for my current group show VISION QUEST (up til Feb 21st so go see it soon! Plug end.) What's amazing about his work is that while it looks super neat as a jpeg, it is absolutely mind. blow. ing. in person. This is because each piece is made up of layer upon layer of collaged colored paper elements, all obsessively cut out and arranged in mesmerizing mandala-like patterns. You have to see this stuff, for real. I am also crazy about the way he blends pop cultural references with mystic iconography. Get a load of his artist statement:
...I make collage because it is simple, involves repetitive actions, directs structure, and is unforgiving.So, so awesome.
I imagine a relationship to Color, upon first sight, cannot be much different from experiencing the divine; a kaleidoscopic lure of light and warmth. An invitation to explore this light inevitably leads to the discovery of a Darkness. Through color, my work examines Hindu, Buddhist and Shamanic themes where the acceptance of this Darkness or Fear can lead to higher realms of consciousness and new states of being. This pairing of Color with Darkness becomes the focus of collaged meditations aimed at a better understanding of the Self and a means to conquer Fears.
My work is about Being. Bright, colorful, paper collages functioning as the Mandala or the Yantra: a meditational tool aimed at self-discovery, spiritual awakening, and devotion to the Divine Being. Navigating Consciousness through laser beams, Shakti, and joy. Confronting Fear by maintaining a rigorous process, Kali, and death. Experiencing Harmony from symmetry, UFO’s, and the cosmos. Densely layered patterns, shapes, and line hold together deep, symmetrical spaces where mind and body potential is revealed and explored. In either case, an attempt to create a magic Sacred Space where our primordial questions about Being, co-exist with comic books, science fiction, Timothy Leary and Terrance McKenna. A magic Sacred Space where the divine mother goddess can just as easily caress and nurture you as ferociously rip your face off.
