Jeremy Shockley

Jeremy Shockley's surrealist paintings alter landscapes using the techniques of trompe-l'œil to create the optical illusion of three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface.  Influenced by magical realism in literature, his style of painting adds humor and magical elements into mundane situations in a matter-of-fact way, playfully tricking the viewer's perception of space. 

His signature style was inspired by time spent working on the restoration of renowned specialist Lucio Fontana's artwork. By physically slashing canvases in his studio, he studies the shape and shadow to create the painted illusion of thin slits that suggest two eyes and a smiling mouth or a cheeky and layered phrase in oil paint.

Jeremy Shockley is from South Carolina and lives and works in Los Angeles, California.  He has exhibited internationally with V1, Copenhagen, Moosey, UK, The Bunker, LA, and The Hole, NY.

Collect Bean x The Art Kollective: What does growth mean to you? 

Jeremy Shockley: Growth is the ability to expand. It doesn’t have to be a limitless sprawl. Sometimes, I find that growth with parameters creates the best results… like a bonsai or a square watermelon. 

Collect Bean x The Art Kollective: What role does art play in society, and how does your work contribute to that? 

Jeremy Shockley: I think art is better at providing questions than answers. It can spark a series of thoughts that help with understanding of society and surroundings. I also think it serves as a time capsule of how a segment of the population is interpreting the times it’s being created in. 

Collect Bean x The Art Kollective: How do you see your artwork fitting into the larger art world or art history?

Jeremy Shockley: I draw heavily on the past to interpret the present. I like to look at Turner, Constable, De Chirico, Magritte, Delacroix, etc, and interject their techniques into my aesthetics. I build off art history and hope someone in the future can use my work to do the same. 

Collect Bean x The Art Kollective: If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? 

Jeremy Shockley: Paint isn’t precious. Wipe it out if it doesn’t work for the painting, even if it looks good as an object or idea. 

Collect Bean x The Art Kollective: If you had to describe your work in only three words, what would they be? 

Jeremy Shockley: Skeptical Optimism Doodles