BIOGRAPHY
Jimi Gleason is a contemporary artist whose work explores the dynamic interplay between light, material, and perception. Born in Newport Beach, California, Gleason studied fine arts at UC Berkeley, graduating in 1985. His artistic journey began with studies in printmaking at the San Francisco Art Institute and work as a photo assistant in New York City. Upon returning to California, he spent five years working in the studio of renowned artist Ed Moses, an experience that profoundly shaped his understanding of abstraction and materiality.
Gleason’s paintings are celebrated for their luminous, reflective surfaces created through a meticulous and labor-intensive process. His primary medium, silver nitrate, is applied using techniques inspired by industrial processes. This approach connects his work to the legacy of the West Coast Minimalist and Light & Space movements, which explored the intersection of art, technology, and perception. The result is a body of work that transcends the boundaries of traditional painting, engaging viewers in an immersive, ever-changing experience.
The reflective surfaces of Gleason’s works are activated by light and the viewer’s presence, creating a dynamic interaction that is central to his artistic vision. His paintings echo the alchemical principles of transformation, offering a meditative space where materiality and the ephemeral coexist. Gleason’s work invites viewers to explore themes of duality and connection, where the boundaries between the physical and metaphysical dissolve.
Over his career, Gleason has exhibited in prestigious institutions such as the Hammer Museum, the Long Beach Museum of Art, the Seattle Art Museum, and the Tucson Museum of Art. His work is included in significant public and private collections worldwide, earning him recognition for his innovative approach and technical mastery.
Living and working in Southern California, Gleason continues to push the limits of abstraction and material exploration, creating works that challenge traditional notions of painting while offering a profound and contemplative experience for the viewer.
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