“Jason Thielkeʼs figurative drawings explore the constellation of human experience. Yet this exhibition marks a departure for the artist, away from technical perfection. Previous works involved laser etching and many hours digitally recreating his original, hand-drawn sketches. For Zero-zero, the artist is hand-drawing directly on wooden panel. “

Since stumbling across one of his drawings on Pinterest, I must admit that I’ve been a tad obsessed with the artwork of Jason Thielke. A mixture of female and animal figures, his latest series of drawings are complex; the subject matter are broken up into linear patterns and planes – almost like architectural drawings, while still remaining soft and fluid. They remind me of maps of stars and constellations, and the movement in these two dimensional pieces is undeniable. The color is subtle and takes a backseat to line and form. I think these are strikingly unique and beautiful, and I have the feeling that my obsession isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. I also appreciate that, even as an established artist, he is actively exploring new forms of art and expression, still taking “departures”, as it were, and challenging himself to continue to make new and beautiful things.

“Iʼm thinking about the messiness of life and how we are trying to figure things out,” Thielke said. Perhaps itʼs maturity, a level of understanding that comes with being in his mid-thirties, a growing into the full complexities of understanding that life is inherently messy, that is pushing this growth.