This June we are featuring the artwork of James Mullen in our gallery. Jagged Edges will be on view June 1 – July 4. The free, all-ages reception is June 1, 6-9 PM.
Skulls, nails, doll heads, wood, barbed wire, metal, tools, silverware. Such are the materials Mullen creates his self-described Dada sculptures with. Before working in assemblage, he constructed surrealistic ceramic pieces; overall Mullen has been creating sculpture in one form or another for close to 20 years. His home in Grass Valley is a testament to his work, from wall pieces doubling as lamps in the living room and kitchen, to wire towers in the garden acting as brutalist scarecrows.
Where the magic happens.
A Teaser of Mullen's Work
Mullen’s on-site studio houses both works in progress, tools, and the above described odds and ends waiting to be placed in one sculpture or another. His artwork grows from the organic and manmade found objects he has collected into work that is abstract and surrealist. Every work tells a story, and walks the line between anthropologist relic and humorousDada formation. The pieces have a muted color palette which includes rusts and patinas from the numerous objects Mullen uses in his work. Each item is either personally found by Mullen, or given to him from friends aware of his penchant for old things with stories.
A Teaser of Mullen's Work
Talking heads.
A Teaser of Mullen's Work
Mullen himself is full of stories. He once broke several bones trying to collect a ship part from a rocky Alaskan shore. His work is in private collections all over the country. His loves in life are cycling, gardening, and, of course, creating sculpture.
A Teaser of Mullen's Work
James Mullen describing the necessities for a perfectly balanced mobile.
Jagged Edges will be on view June 1 – July 4. Join the Facebook event here. Be sure to check out this amazing exhibition! If you come to the reception you can meet the artist himself and maybe even hear a story or two.
