Jay King is a wonderfully talented stained glass artist from Arkansas who also happens to work with polymer clay. When I first saw all of his "faces", they disturbed me but, at the same time, I really liked what he was doing and was unable to look away. I was brave enough to write him a little note telling him about my reaction and he kindly replied that my reaction was exactly what he hoped to elicit with his work.
If you're as intrigued as I am by Jay's artwork, you can see many more of his faces here on Flickr. The little stories and captions that he includes about each face are humorous and quite entertaining, although some of them are way over my head since I'm not a big science fiction fan.
The more I look at these pieces, the more I like them. Some are a bit scary but I find them and the process he uses to make them quite interesting. This one, called Marid, is probably my favorite. George Washiguana and the Barnacle Encrusted Seadoll Skull are pretty amazing, as well.
Of his process, Jay says:
Most are remixes of other faces. Toys and figurines in thrift stores and antique malls provide the originals. I press molds whenever I find faces. The faces are quite small, varying in size from about a half an inch to one and half inches. Each polymer clay face I make is pressed partially into several molds. In addition to molds of faces, I also use molds of stones, wood, shell, nuts, and manmade objects of every sort. Faces are painted with acrylics and scanned. The images are then enhanced and tweaked on the computer.
If you're as intrigued as I am by Jay's artwork, you can see many more of his faces here on Flickr. The little stories and captions that he includes about each face are humorous and quite entertaining, although some of them are way over my head since I'm not a big science fiction fan.
I think I'd enjoy spending a day or two in Jay King's head. I'm guessing it's quite a fascinating place to be!
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6 comments:
I'm a huge sci. fi. fan and thought that these were amazing. It's the writing that gives them life. I love his sense of humour and imagination. He names them and they come into existence. I wouldn't want to meet any of them for real, but they do become addictive.
He creates worlds within worlds. He makes you take a second look at your scrap heap. Be careful of what you might find looking back at you!
for non-sci.fi. people it may take a page or two to see what he's doing but stick with it. It's worth learning Jay King as a second language.
Thanks Kim for showcasing this clever and funny artist.
Deborah Groom
I'm one of Jay's biggest fans. He is prolific, deep and disturbingly funny.
Dee Wilder
Thanks, Kim for the kind words. You are welcome to spend a day or two inside my head if you like, but there may not be room for the both of us.
Thanks, Deb & Dee, for your endorsements as well. It's always nice to know we're not talking to the walls.
Hi Deb and Dee, What wonderful comments! I agree, Jay is definitely special and very talented. I'm so glad you enjoyed seeing his work here.
Jay, it was a pleasure for me to share your work here. Your talent is incredible and I love that your art has such a profound effect on the viewer. Your sense of humor and intelligence are a large part of what makes your work so special.
I'm looking forward to seeing more of your art AND spending a little time in your head!
Thanks again, Kim. I'm honored to have drawn your attention. I'd love to make one of your workshops one day.
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