Benjamin Jaffe Gallery - B E N J A M I N J A F F E A R T W O R K

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T H E D I G I T A L I N S T I T U T E O F T H E A R T S

Benjamin Jaffe Gallery
Chicago, IL
benjaminjaffe@yahoo.com

B E N J A M I N J A F F E A R T W O R K

GRADUATES OF THE DIGITAL INSTITUTE

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Joshua Slater

Slater's performance back ground comes to the forefront as he poses as the subject for a large body of work, utilizing self portraiture titled,
"My Mythologies". In this series of work Slater challenges gender binaries, summons the magic of an alternate world, channels an abundance of "What Ifs?" and seamlessly comments on contemporary societal oppression faced by the Queer community as well as People of Color around the globe.

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Kristoffer Macafee

I create art as a way to speak on issues that are sensitive and highly misinterpreted. If I had to define my style of work, it would simply be contemporary art with a political/conscious spin; a mixture of day-to-day popular images, colors and text connected to an underlining message or theme. Within every piece I design, there are repeating titles (i.e. “Koca”) and symbols that in addition to representing the theme at hand, also reference the coca leaf, which is viewed as a problem that can only be solved by force and disregard (in other words, ignorance). This same mentality is applied to issues throughout the world that affect millions. It’s a ‘blame the victim’ mind-state without trying to comprehend why this lifestyle exist in the first place. It is this overwhelming need to control by any means without a complete awareness of its effects on the world that gives me the motivation, enthusiasm and fortitude to speak out on these topics within my art.The overall goal of my work is to help those that either know very little about, or have a (possibly unknown) bias viewpoint towards a certain subject. Open their perceptions & nurture their understanding. I believe my background in murals/street art gives me a nontraditional way of viewing art and its preconceived limits on subject matter. While touching on a variety of subjects – such as vanity, drugs, political struggle, personal health and greed – I am able to connect with the masses while illustrating that we all face the same problems. This hopeful realization will not only unite minds but also lead them to question why certain practices exist in the first place. I am a firm believer in doing everything with a purpose and direction. I hope to spread not only knowledge and awareness, but a much needed compassion.

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Henry Wu

Growing up in chicago, new years day has always been gray and freezing cold in the middle of winter. it didn’t really consist of anything since my parents (coming from a chinese background) celebrated new years according to the lunar calendar which so happens to begin the year sometime in february. I’ve made it tradition to reflect on the expiring year before looking forward. I have another year of filming coming soon and many destinations scheduled but before that, I have taken some time to meditate on some things. I’m so very thankful for being blessed to be able to call this my full-time vocation, and it’s all because of you that I can do this. It’s been a year of firsts. we drove through the hills of Southern California en route a beautiful winery in Temecula, and later on to the breath-taking cliffs of Malibu for an intimate vow renewal. we ventured and filmed all over this season: an industrial giant of a tower – the Trump, a rustic barn north of Chicago, a small backyard in Santa Monica, a vineyard all the way in Virginia, the heart of downtown Indianapolis, an urban building turned wedding venue – room 1520, the historic cultural center of Chicago, the magnificient Cafe Brauer, an outdoor celebration with trees towering over us out in West Illinois, a home to many aquatic lifeforms – the Shedd, and everywhere in between.

To be fully honest – the locations pale in comparison to the people who filled them. thank you for sharing life with me and for your continued support.Before i go, I have some new years resolutions. I want to connect with people more, to establish deeper relationships. that’s why we’re here, right? It’d be such a wasted opportunity if we just lived among one another without truly getting to know each other on a deeper level.
I’m so looking forward to telling more stories in the coming year. partnering with you in charity is going to be amazing.

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Shawn Bullen

Shawn is a graffitti and mural artist whose work can be seen in many North American cities including: Chicago, New Orleans, San Francisco, and Halifax Nova Scotia. Shawn also works in other media such as drawing and photography.

Here is a film of Shawn working on a mural in San Francisco:

ARTIST STATEMENT

Underneath all of my work is a sense of wonder in what human beings create. In the magic that we feel standing at the foot of a Mayan Pyramid, both of these thoughts enter our minds at the same time: First we are amazed at the shear magnitude and magnificence of what was created so long ago, but concurrently we wonder what went so terribly wrong that it all vanished so mysteriously. I am filled with these same questions when I stand amongst the crumbling ruins of today: Who made this? Where did they go? Why did they leave this behind? Huge glass and steel or concrete and granite structures seem to be permanent yet when we look at the ancient pyramids or ruins from previous civilizations we realize that even the sturdiest of constructions can only sustain so much before crumbling to the elements of time. These images are an attempt to understand our place in the universe as well as human behavior. The full spectrum of social debate can be argued, but I am actually attempting to communicate something on a spiritual level. The subject to me is not just about our environment, it is about human beings; What we subject one another to, what we are capable of withstanding, and finally what we leave behind. This undercurrent has led me more recently to include human subjects in my artworks. My initial series, which I have titled “Ruined”, was devoid of people and centered on the cityscapes themselves. This has given way recently to include people or portraits that match their environment. I have attempted to portray these subjects with the same attention to detail that my cityscapes have been given, and the pairing of subject with environment involves great care and planning. My subjects are universal but very rooted in Chicago, especially the Southside where I live. In this new series of artworks the character is woven into the urban ruins. I have so far only completed a few pieces in this series but have several ideas planned. The subjects and their clothes will match the decay of my city scapes and have a similar thread to their surrounding environment. I am most interested in my own neighborhood (Historic Bronzeville) which some have dubbed the Harlem of Chicago. Although many of our iconic institutions have perished, some are still around, though perhaps less celebrated. I have been focusing on tapping into the same funky vibe that populate the songs of former residents like Muddy Waters and Louis Armstrong.

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Other Series

Mountains and wilderness places have called to me from a very young age. The desire for adventure and to experience the pure and untouched has always pulled me and spoken to me. The Wild series documents my love of the outdoors.

I began my journey as an artist by learning how to draw under the master painter Murray Stern. My initiation into the field of art, started out thru the study of the human form. These early studies encapsulate several styles and concepts but all have in common the study of the human form.

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