Jim Biglan

At a quick glance my artwork may seem silly, perverse or intense but after careful study joy, tenderness and humor is also revealed. This duality and contradiction interests me in art and life. I express these themes through the use of figurative expressionism and intimate symbols. Visually my artwork has a raw style that suits both the content of the work and my personality. I enjoy working quickly and directly because it helps release imagery in a simple, honest manner. My process often starts off very conceptual. I will write and sketch out a variety of ideas. I also like to explore many different materials and techniques within single works of art. I want my artwork to have both a strong narrative element combined with a visceral use of materials, mark making and surface quality. Though I try to avoid a tedious process this does not mean I want to present simple pictures. I hope the viewer will often discover double meanings, hidden details and surprising outcomes within each artwork. I am most interested in artists and artwork that that explores humor and existential angst in their work. Some of these would include Goya, Philip Guston, Jean Dubuffet, Kiki Smith and many more. And themes such as sex, love, childhood, rock and roll, gluttony and the ephemeral. If I had to pick a favorite medium it would probably be ink because of its directness and illustrative quality. I also love to work three dimensionally with found objects and clay. This began after spending a decade in New Orleans where I developed a real love for wearing and building masks. These masks express similar themes as the drawings/ paintings but tend to rely more on planning and craftsmanship. I still make a new mask or sculpture every year for my Halloween costume. Lately I have been experimenting with other 3D approaches including ceramics and puppetry.
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