David Jien
Seeking the Sensible Simian, 2011, color pencil, gouache, and graphite on paper, 8.5 x 11 in
Today, We’re C0-Lungin’‘, 2011, color pencil, graphite and gouache on paper, 8.5 x 11 in
The Who Riders, 2010, color pencil, graphite and goldleaf on paper, 14 x 25 in.
Collector, Cockatoo and Several Copper Objects, 2011, color pencil, graphite and copperleaf on paper, 11 x 17 in
Collector, Cat and Several Silver Objects, 2011, color pencil, graphite and silverleaf on paper, 11 x1 7 in
Collector, Dog and Several Gold Objects, 2010, color pencil, graphite and goldleaf on paper, 11 x 17 in
Bad News Bat, 2011, color pencil, gouache, and graphite on paper, 8.5 x 11 in
Ghostface, 2011, color pencil, gouache, graphite and holographic film on paper, 8.5 x 11 in
Breakers, Shakers and Takers, 2011, color pencil, graphite, silverleaf and holographic film on paper, 14 x 22.5 in
Palantir, 2011, color pencil, graphite, acrylic, gouache and holographic film on paper, 11 x 17 in
About The Artist
David Jien’s drawings/paintings are depictions of life in another world. It’s a world of war, religion, science and sex. Rituals and worship are juxtaposed by pedestals of strange skeletons and orbs, while lone figures contemplate rooms filled with patterned floors, making for a dizzying organized view. In other scenes war is waged by animal-human creatures astride horses. Some wield spears but many use spray can weapons. Watching battle occur with sprays of gas floating towards warriors is charming and frightening as you contemplate the possibility that chemical warfare may have been bottled. Huge battles and wild orgies are illustrated in a style that is reminiscent of Indian or Persian art from the 1500’s. (Tracey Harnish)
Inspired by such disparate sources as Nintendo, Persian miniatures, Chinese scrolls, Homer, Chaucer, Stanley Kubrick, Roald Dahl, Henry Darger and Trenton Doyle Hancock, Jien’s art brings far-flung elements into a form-savvy epic that is familiar and formidable and a thrill to get lost in. (David Pagel)
David Jien at Richard Heller Gallery
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