Jeph Gurecka was born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania (1968), he has been living and working in Brooklyn New York since 1993. He has shown internationally in both group and solo exhibitions, and His work is in numerous international collections. Gurecka has been awarded many fellowships and residencies, including The Pollock- Krasner Foundation Grant, The Adolph and Esther Gottlieb Foundation Emergency Assistance Grant, Artists’ Fellowship Inc., Change Inc. Grant, and the FUTURA Projects' Residency in Castle Trebesice, Czech Republic.
Gurecka uses an array of materials that host his ideas of transience, reflection, and transcendental states. The materials used evoke a historical permanence in the way that they are are controlled and manipulated. Jephs' use of casting and mold making combines plastic and organic materials to ground the world of illusion to the physical. The work exists to reflect on the absurdity of the moment, the preciousness of the past and the impermanence of the world.
Symbolism throughout the ages have illustrated the superstitions and desires of a society. Development of cultures have grown with these beliefs that have been about desire, necessity and fear. Family and civil life was completely dependent upon these beliefs for progress and a homogeneous people.
In the modern world traditional symbolism and superstition have become pop-ritual kitsch, far removed from their original intentions. It is far easier today to live without a social/religious need for these old motifs and myths, but how is it improving upon modern culture?
Gurecka uses an array of materials that host his ideas of transience, reflection, and transcendental states. The materials used evoke a historical permanence in the way that they are are controlled and manipulated. Jephs' use of casting and mold making combines plastic and organic materials to ground the world of illusion to the physical. The work exists to reflect on the absurdity of the moment, the preciousness of the past and the impermanence of the world.
Symbolism throughout the ages have illustrated the superstitions and desires of a society. Development of cultures have grown with these beliefs that have been about desire, necessity and fear. Family and civil life was completely dependent upon these beliefs for progress and a homogeneous people.
In the modern world traditional symbolism and superstition have become pop-ritual kitsch, far removed from their original intentions. It is far easier today to live without a social/religious need for these old motifs and myths, but how is it improving upon modern culture?
