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| Jay Kelly, Behold, 2008, collage, acrylic, resin on wood panel |
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JAY KELLY: RAWNESS & POLISH
On view November 8 – December 20, 2008
Opening reception: Saturday, November 8th, 7-10pm
Commissary Arts is proud to present new works by emerging artist, Jay Kelly, in the solo exhibition “Rawness & Polish.” The show will feature a mixture of medium and small-format collage works incorporating his photography, spray paint, hand cut stencils and found imagery, as well as unique backlit collage light boxes, and will be on view from November 8th until December 20th, with an opening reception on Saturday evening, November 8th from 7:00–10:00 p.m.
Says Kelly, “My work is a fusion of rawness and polish reminding the viewer that beauty can be found in unexpected places and in everyday encounters, such as a bird flying overhead, an old oak tree or a gritty urban street corner. This work showcases my many influences and passions, ranging from music and surfing to my fascination with the grittier side of urban landscapes, resulting in a careful blend of classic beauty and modern life.”
Recently, Kelly was commissioned by The Abbot Kinney District Association to create the signature piece of art to represent the 2008 Abbot Kinney Festival, which was widely used for promotional posters, invitations, banners, and both print and online advertising. Kelly's style of combining the natural allure of the Southern California coastline with the urban beauty of Los Angeles and specifically his home of more than 10 years, Venice, made him a fitting choice to provide a visual representation of the beloved art, music and cultural event.
A Northern California native, Kelly settled in Venice, California after graduating from UCLA. Although he began his career in graphic design, he quickly emerged as a notable fine artist with his unique style of creating life-like portrait collages out of books, photos and magazines. Most noted is a series of large-scale mixed media pieces featuring a combination of original photography paired with found imagery and text. He has attracted the attention of collectors around the world with solo exhibitions in Los Angeles, New York, Aspen and Miami, and is also represented by galleries in Park City, Utah, and throughout Germany and in the Netherlands. Kelly’s work has been featured in television shows and feature films, including the cult classic “Donnie Darko,” as well as in restaurants and lounges in Los Angeles and New York.
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