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2014-03-11

Not alone. Jason Shawn Alexander.

Jason Shawn Alexander is a self-taught when it comes to painting. His art shows not only tremendous craftsmanship, mastery of technique but also a huge force of emotion and expression all in classical, academic form of oil on canvas. The artist admits that things important to him at work are honesty and feelings. He wants to reach hearts and souls of the audience with his paintings. And actually, it is possible. His works remind us of Lucian Freud and often reveal almost unpleasant physical embodiment of the emotional inner world of his models.

It’s hardly possible to escape the intensity of Jason’s works. His paintings are autobiographical but also universal. They have this something that draws the viewer and leads him to self-reflection. It's all about gestures and postures. There is something rough and unpleasant in this art. The appearance of the models is very physical. The skin has an unhealthy color and the veins are visible through an almost transparent skin that does not seem to fit properly. Inner feelings are expressed through physical discomfort. Limbs appear extended, strange or distorted.
Personalities are split, wear masks or have uncanny double. The figures are fascinating but their discomfort is difficult for the viewer. The artist opens up a tunnel between pain and anxiety. However, the actual statement is that of the survival, existence and hope.

A contrast to the pictorial painting of Alexander represent his drawings, which are shown all together in the gallery Strychnine. Jason Shawn Alexander, has worked for Warner Brothers, Hasbro, White Wolf Inc. and Dalmatian Press and many more as an illustrator. He was awarded the Silver Medal of the Society of Illustrators Award - Los Angeles. His illustrations, which include also "Abe Sapien - The Drowning" by Mike Magnola ("Hellboy") are nominated for two Eisner Awards. His drawings are made with ink pen and refers to the genre of comic ‘Noire’, which is populated by zombies, monsters and demons. Emotions, power of expression and craftsmanship of these works testifies to their value.