| The Art of Jason Powell |
| When I first saw Jason's painting "bang bang bang ... i'm a street angel, baby..." (Click on the Thumbnail below to view a larger image of the painting.) at the Regional Juried Exhibition, To the Nth Degree, that the Touchstone Gallery held in August 2002, I was immediately struck by surrealist atmosphere of the painting, beginning with the glowing red of the skyscrapers in the backround that seem more like cliffs marking a narrow gulch than architectural structures, transformed into an urban landscape through the lights of the rough outlines of the oncoming cars. Note that there does not seem to be a shadow cast by the buildings on the right and the back of the truck on that side of the street right seems to be equally lit by the sunset in a way that defies reality. One feature that makes the painting fascinating, and lends a certain 'electricity' into what otherwise seems to be a study in color, is the way the eye is drawn into the scene through the figure of the young skateboarder, who appears to be fearlessly racing into the oncoming traffic. And then there seems to be an element of tension that is introduced through the ambigious dark, heavyset adult figure at the front. It is up to the viewer to interpred his significance for the scene. Another, somewhat smaller feature that lends interest and contrast to the piece is the introduction of a surprising element of detail in a picture otherwise worked in quick, rough strokes. If you look at the boy's T-Shirt, you can see the billows caused by the speed with which he is going down the street, sharply contrasting the otherwise dark profile and illumined from an unspecified source. This attention to line is something that Jason clearly brings from his stylistically very different line drawings, predominantly created for use on the CD labels of the Punk bands with which he works and whose concerts are also the subject of numerous of his other paintings. Beyond that, I would suggest that the "street angel" is a study in the effect of color and form.The same can be said of Jason's earlier painting "method air" (so named after the particular skateboard move being executed in the painting). In the Artist's Statement Jason submitted for the Touchstone show, he writes: "For years the media and entertainment industry has tried to assimilate youth counter culture into a history devoid of any true meaning. As the culture I feel a part of continues to evolve and progress, I sense a real need to honestly represent the roots and rich diversity of talent around me. "I try with my artwork to capture not only the imagery and feel, but also the raw energy, the vitality, and the reality of my surroundings. "As influenced as I am by artists like Winston Smith, Brian Schroeder (aka Pushead), and Raymond Pettibon, I also draw from the influences ranging from the "ashcan" painters to pop art and modernists. I hope my artwork, whether depicting a small local hardcore band playing at a VFW hall in the suburbs, or the sinple joys of skateboarding, will be able to communicate to viewers how important the underground is, while at the same time keeping its integrity intact." In addition to the Touchstone show, Jason's work has also been shown in the following: Group Exhibitions: 2002: "Wall Mountables" DCAC Washington, DC 2002: "Adult Crash" High Fidelity, Woodbridge, VA 2001: "Benefit for Centro De Arte", Wilson Center, Washington, DC 2001: "DC Underground Invitational", Ft. Reno Park, Washington, DC |
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| street angel, 2001 |
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| method air, 2000 |
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