Striking, abstract architectural designs are the subjects of Jeff Davis’ “Location Series,” which premieres Friday, Dec. 5 at the Bokeh Gallery in MonOrchid.
Davis uses algorithms to create the digital prints. While the art looks like shop fronts and other buildings, the design and color are the randomized outputs of a computer program.
“His work is definitely unique and thought-provoking, and he uses his traditional art training intertwined with modern technology, programming software and using algorithms to create abstract art that references architecture,” Shade Projects Curator Nicole Royse said. “Although he has created the program, the resulting image is left up to chance in term of colors, line formation, etc.”
This is not the first appearance Davis has had at MonOrchid. Last fall he participated in a special group exhibition held in Bokeh Gallery titled “Rotting the Barrel,” where Davis created digital prints that formed a giant grid-like maze of 32 unique images.
Davis’ interest in art didn’t begin until he was a sophomore in college. He attended Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, to pursue a degree in mathematics. While working on his degree, he took an introduction to studio art class to fulfill a liberal arts requirement.
“I enjoyed the course tremendously and took another art course, then another. Eventually I decided to squeeze in a studio art major on top of my math major,” Davis said. “From there I went straight to graduate school at the Art Institute of Chicago, and have been a practicing artist ever since.”
Davis started using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop in 1999. Before then, he worked with traditional material — primarily painting and silk screening.
“There’s always been a connection between math and art in my work, initially exploring concepts of ratio and proportion through geometric abstraction,” Davis said.
Davis chose to use crowdfunding to finance the production of “Location Series,” which necessitated $4,000 to mount the digital color prints between acrylic glass and aluminum composite ranging from 30-by-30 inches to 30-by-66 inches in size.
He launched a fundraising campaign to raise the $4,000 on the micro-philanthropy site Hatchfund in late October. Within three weeks, he reached his goal.
“The amount of support I have received has been truly humbling,” Davis said.
“While ‘Location Series’ is a new direction for my algorithmic work, it also marks a return to my original interest in architectural abstraction,” Davis said.
Don Jones helped fund “Location Series” and owns several pieces of Davis’s work.
”Jeff’s examination of color and form combine to present the idea of architecture without defining a specific structure. His art engages the viewer with the familiar (color, shape reminicient of architecture) without demanding the viewer see a specific landmark,” Jones said in an email interview. “Jeff challenges the viewer to interpret form and color within the wide guidelines he has provided, leading us down his path but not demanding that everyone find the same destination.”
“Location Series” opens on Dec. 5 with an artist reception running from 6-10 p.m. It will remain open until Dec. 28. A second reception will be hosted on Dec. 19 from 6-10 p.m.
Contact the reporter at mariafabiolaportillo@gmail.com
