Du Mois | The Artists | Jonathan Mayers

Jonathan Mayers | Artist Statement

My work addresses the impact that humans have on the environment in our contemporary world. A primary focus, but not exclusive, includes industrial materials or objects, their overwhelming presence that informs the juxtaposition of economic progress, and the reality of environmental disruption. Humor and metaphor are central themes of my work and reference my personal observations and experiences of living in the midst of these environments. Sources from contemporary underground art have been filtered through my exposure to studio practice and art history, mainly the autonomous processes of Surrealism, resulting in a variety of influences that inform my work. I present imaginary images of architectural, biological, and mechanical transformations with the hopes of nudging the viewers' expectations and to create a better understanding of my opinion pertaining to the world and reality we all live in.

Jonathan Mayers | Resume

Education

2011 MFA University of New Orleans – New Orleans, LA

Painting and Drawing, Minor: Printmaking

2007 BFA Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge, LA Painting and Drawing

Teaching Experience

2012-Present Instructor, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge LA: Art 1011: 2D Fundamentals

2009-11 Teaching Assistant, University of New Orleans, New Orleans LA: (Instructor of Record) Design Fundamentals,

Fall 2009 – Spring 2011

Design Fundamentals, Spring 2009

Intro to Painting, Fall 2009, Spring 2011

Intro to Printmaking, Spring 2009

Intro and Advanced Sculpture, Fall 2010

Related Experience

2011 Assistant Preparator, Louisiana State University Museum of Art, Baton Rouge, LA

2009-11 Wood Shop Supervisor (Painting), Fine Arts Department, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA

2008-10 Gallery Assistant, Fine Arts Campus and St. Claude Galleries, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA

2008 Gallery Assistant

School of Art’s Alfred C. Glassell Jr. and Foster Galleries, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA

Awards/Scholarships
Bibliography

Graduate Assistantship at the University of New Orleans (2008-2011)

"power pop consciousness." Alexvcook.blogspot.com, June 28, 2011. http://alexvcook.blogspot.com/2011/06/power-pop-consciousness.html

"Baton Rouge: An Art Powerhouse?" Tamnadee.wordpress.com, March 23, 2011. http://tamdenee.wordpress.com/2011/03/23/baton-rouge-an-art-powerhouse/

"Jonathan Mayers in New Orleans." Interview. ArtHouseMouse.com, August 26, 2010. http://www.arthousemouse.com/wp/2010/08/

"Notes from the Artistic Underground exhibition in Foster Hall Gallery." Tiger Weekly, October 28, 2009. http://tigerweekly.com/article/10-28-2009/12798

"Artists create their own ‘hot tamale’ recipes." Interview. The Advocate, June 20, 2008. http://www.2theadvocate.com/entertainment/arts/25621414.html

"Student art show features eclectic paintings by 5 undergraduates." The Daily Reveille, January 21, 2008. http://www.lsureveille.com/entertainment/student-art-show-features-eclectic-paintings-by-5-undergraduates-1.918714

Exhibitions Curated

2011 EEK! Get That Art Off the Wall, LSU Foster Gallery, Baton Rouge LA

2008 Playground Psychotics, LSU Foster Gallery, Baton Rouge LA (co-curated with Sarah Cancienne, Robyn Denny, Nyssa Juneau, and Stuart Kimbrell)

Professional Organizations

2007 Co-Founder of the Painter’s League at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge LA