Jessica Gondek: IRONMADES: Dualisms

Opening Reception: Friday,  March 1, 2024, 5-8pm

My work endeavors to blur the distinction between hand and machine. “Ironmades” is a nod to the early 20th century Dada movement engaged with machinery and manufactured items. In 1916 Marcel Duchamp coined the term readymades, elevating mass-produced objects to the status of art. Of special note is Man Ray’s “The Gift” created in 1921, a sculpture of an everyday flat iron modified with brass tacks adhered to the sole plate. This transformation subverted the iron’s intended function to smooth clothing. As an artist, I continue building on this tradition to bring it into the digital era of the 21st century as our relationship with technology continues to evolve.

The forms I explore are inspired by vintage domestic utilitarian machines and gadgets I have collected as well as related trade catalogues, advertisements, blueprints, and patent drawings.  Digital manipulations derived from these source materials lay a foundation that launches their evolution. The drawing medium allows for both transparency and mutability between layers of information.

The mechanical forms within these compositions are simultaneously transformed casting off their intended function and asserting an animated physical presence and internal narrative that allows me to explore a multitude of dualities: hot vs cold, male vs female, hand vs machine, organic vs mechanical, playful vs menacing, analog vs digital, and functional vs dysfunctional.  I often explore these dualisms by creating works that are tandem in format, mirror images or opposites.

Opening Reception, Friday, March 1, 5:00-8:00pm

• Exhibition dates: February 29 - March 22, 2024

• Gallery hours: Thurs – Fri 2-6pm, Sat – Sun 12-4 pm

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.