From Ashes to Artwork
Artist:
Jason M. Reigh
Jay13062003@yahoo.com
Artist Bio:
I am a 26 year old college student studying Graphic Design at the International Academy of Design and Technology. I grew up in Apollo, PA; a rural town 40 miles north of Pittsburgh. Art has always been one of my main interests growing up. After enrolling at IUP for Business Management, I realized 2 years into the program that business was not my passion. After leaving IUP in search of a new program, I was exposed to Graphic Design. I work with several types of medium, ranging from burned newspaper to circuit boards to barbed wire. Graphic Design lets me work with several types of digital mediums in conjunction with many types of physical artwork that I create. The fusion of both worlds is what attracts me to this field of study.
Artist Resume:
2005 Art for AIDS / Art for Change Benefit Auction
Emerging Artist of 2005
Designer of Postcard, Invitation and Program
This was my first entry in an art show. The piece was purchased by a gallery owner in Harrisburg for $ 1075. The piece was the 5th highest price item to sell out of 80 pieces. I had the luck of also winning Best Emerging Artist of 2005 at this event.
Description of Piece:
Title: “A Divided Nation"
Medium: Mixed Media – Burned Newspaper & Acrylic Paint on Canvas
Dimensions: 54”L x 36”H (Total of 3 Canvases)
The postcard that I designed, pictured above, was also used on billboards throughout the city to advertise the event.
2005 Art All Night
The Art All Night show is open to all artists who submit artwork. A snapshot of the piece I submitted is pictured below. The piece sold for $150 to an interior designer in the Pittsburgh area. This show attracts several new artists as well as seasoned artists. the range of mediums used by each artist is very diverse. This years trend focused more on collage and mixing several types of materials.
Description of Piece:
Title: Midas
Medium: Mixed Media – Metal, Burned Newspaper, & Acrylic Paint on Canvas
Dimensions: 48 ”L x 36”H
2005 Media Tonic II
Media Tonic is a national show that displays work from all types of media, but focuses on film. The show was open to artists all over the US. Surprisingly, I was accepted into the show and had no idea why. When I read the bio's of the accepted artists, I was shocked to see that people from California and NYC were in the show.
Description of Piece:
Title: "Where's Mike?"
Medium: Mixed Media – Metal, Burned Newspaper, & Acrylic Paint on Canvas
Dimensions: 56"L x 38"H (6 Canvases Total)
Construction of this piece started at the 4th Anniversary of 9/11 and throughout the Presidential Election of 2004. With the media coverage of 9/11 resurrecting the emotions felt by so many Americans, I reflected back on my own thoughts and feelings at the time. The use of newspaper enabled me to incorporate the current events that mold our nation on a daily basis. Issues such as the Presidential Election, Gay Rights, Women’s Rights, Education and the Iraqi War evoked some of the same feelings as 9/11.
The use of multiple canvases, linked together to form one structure, best represents the United States; divided on so many issues, but still able to come together for strength in times of great need. I burned the newspaper to convey emotions and imagery of 9/11. When the entire flag was assembled, my objective was to make the viewer feel a sense of sorrow with its burned and tattered appearance, while supporting that feeling with a sense of triumph and security with the bold structure of the American Flag.
This piece is dedicated to Mike, a friend from college. Mike is a 24 year old college student currently serving his second term in the heart of Baghdad. He was called for duty for his first term in Iraq, during his second year at college. After returning from a six month mission, he was greeted by friends and family - eager to hear his stories. Close to a year after returning, he was called for duty again. Before his departure, friends and family celebrated his sister’s birthday in addition to giving thanks to him for protecting our country. The reality of what Mike has experienced made me take a step back and think about what he has done for me and everyone in that room.
