(i am a) machine, machine rubbing no. 2

36” x 36”

wax pastel & machine grease on canvas

 

operate only with door closed (door closed), machine rubbing no. 1

46” x 46”

wax pastel, machine grease, soot, & acrylic on canvas

 

-------------------------------

Jillian Van Volkenburgh  | machine series

I come from a family of welders, machinists, pipefitters, and “tinkerers” We are blue-collar working class.

When my grandfather returned from WWII, he opened his welding and fabrication shop – part because he liked to tinker with things (as he would say), and part to support his young family. 

That became what I knew for most of my life. The ups and downs of the metal industry. The distinct smell of the north wind from the steel mills that dotted the shore of Lake Michigan. Most of my life I wanted to not know this life.

Art was something to pass time, at the most, a talent used to enter drawing contests in the Sunday paper, not something to be taken seriously.

------------

This new body of work is premised on abandoning one life for another as the newfound exoticism of the past draws you back.

Machine Series was created using rubbings of machines at my grandfather’s shop. Onsite found materials including grease, oil, and soot were also incorporated in the compositions. Using the raised words on the machines, these rubbings create mantras for the working class.

Dedicated to León.

 

Jillian Van Volkenburgh is a Northwest Indiana native but is currently living in Brooklyn. She has exhibited with Jack Shainman in NY as well as with MEN and Proto Gomez in New York and 1650 Gallery in Los Angeles. She has been featured in several publications including New American Paintings.

Contact: vivajvv@gmail.com