Join us on Thursday, September 7th for the opening reception of Justin Varner’s exhibition entitled “Archaic Futurism”. This event is free and open to the public from 5:00-8:00pm as part of First Thursdays.
The artwork will be on view in TASI’s Maudee Carron Gallery through September 28 during TASI’s regular gallery hours: Tuesdays through Saturdays, from noon until 5:00pm
About the artist:
Justin Varner is an artist, curator and educator in Houston, TX. Justin is a professor at Houston Community College where he teaches drawing, painting, and design. He received his BFA in Studio Art at Lamar University-Beaumont and his MFA in Painting at Indiana University-Bloomington.
Justin’s work has transformed through a variety of mediums over the years. He has worked through abstract painting on canvas, figurative portraits in charcoal, spray painted narratives, to his current work which utilizes wood and paint in wall constructions, carved and constructed sculptures and the designing and building of furniture. His work exists as hybrid pieces that question the functional and non-functional qualities of identifiable and abstract objects through an aesthetic he describes as “archaic futurism”.
His work has been exhibited at the Dishman Art Museum, Lawndale Art Center, Wedge Space, Rudolph Blume gallery and published in national periodicals, New American Paintings and Superpresent magazine.
Artist Statement:
I’m curious about what might be going on next to me that I can’t see and what’s going on far from me that I’ll never see. If there is an alternate reality and another dimension can it somehow be seen? I think so! Through a creative process based on impulse, intuition and chance, I believe I can produce glimpses and possible artifacts from these unknown places.
I rely on a diverse range of mediums and approaches to make my work.
Whether used or discarded, every hole drilled, plaster poured, wire cut, paint sprayed, cardboard ripped, and fabric draped serves a purpose. Every move leads to the next and every piece formed finds another part to attach or build upon.
What’s developed is something of functional mystery. They appear abstract and sharp, simple and archaic or playful and absurd. One might serve as a tool for hunting or repairing, while another acts as a mirror, portal or recorder of unknown activities in a bizarre place. These could be artifacts for grand and important purposes or perhaps cheap and useless ones. There is no way to know for sure.
The intuitive process of artists has often been used to alter or translate what is observed, work from within, or to reject all conventions. I’m looking to put my guard down and react to what I cannot see, but believe is very much present.
—Justin Varner, 2023
