House of Cards, 2023 (Poster)

Exhibition poster for:

Jesse Edwards
‘House of Cards’
11/11 → 12/16 2023
DTLA


Press Release:

Simchowitz is pleased to present Jesse Edwards’ “House of Cards” at our DTLA gallery (725 E Washington Blvd. LA, CA 90012). The exhibition opens on Saturday, November 11th with a reception from 5PM - 7PM. In “House of Cards”, Jesse Edwards works across two distinct mediums, painting and sculpture, to explore his own personal insights, social commentary and even humor. Edwards’ figurative art often plays with the contrast between artistic style and subject matter, at times incorporating elements of more explicit content, taboo items, and other provocative themes. The ceramic sculptures featured in this exhibition, card houses, stand at varied heights, each with their own unique configuration, fragile but static, small totems of happenstance and intentionality. These works embody the precarious and balanced nature of human existence, creating a dialogue between vulnerability and resilience, and the interplay of playfulness within life’s uncertainties. 

Jesse Edwards has become known for his intricately detailed oil paintings, which blend classical Old Master techniques with a touch of satirical cultural commentary. His artistic journey began with formal training in oil painting at the Gage Academy of Art in Seattle and an apprenticeship in ceramics under the guidance of Charles Krafft. This unique combination allowed him to merge the graffiti counterculture of his youth with the techniques associated with historical European art.

Following a period of collaboration with the renowned photo-realist painter Chuck Close, Edwards embarked on a new artistic direction. His focus shifted towards American counterculture, where he skillfully represented its symbols and iconic imagery within the context of traditional art genres such as still lifes, landscapes, and portraits. He has had solo shows in Seattle, New York, and Los Angeles, and participated in group exhibitions around the world. Edwards lives and works in New York and Seattle.