Otis Street Arts Project
Complex Simplicity
Complex Simplicity: Artist Jay Hendrick, Joseph Shetler
When viewing Joseph Shetler’s drawings and Jay Hendrick’s paintings, complex simplicity comes to mind; two opposing concepts intertwined into a unifying force. It is accomplished through tedious labor and dedication to their respective mediums.
Joseph Shetler draws inspiration and general philosophy from his Mennonite background. He was raised to reject all things that create chaos through keeping life simple and minimal. He carries this simplicity through his work and life. One gets lost in meditation through the peace and tranquility of his work. Simplicity cannot exist without complexity. Joseph’s work is created through thousands of lines that might otherwise create disorder, yet through meticulous labor they are organized into a spiritual simplicity.
While Joseph strives to reject chaos, Jay Hendrick seems to embrace it. He sees the world as chaotic and diverse and through paint he mashes layers into unified paintings. He questions the meaning of value through the use of multiples, and putting paintings through microscopy, digitization, and erasure. He uses grids as a stabilizing force and color as a representation of cultures. It is easy to be mesmerized by his mazes and ability to mesh colors, patterns, and ideas into a unified cohesive body of work.
While very different, both artist are masters of their medium. They manage to weave this chaotic universe into simplicity.
Complex Simpliciety: February 20- March 19th