JEREMY TURPIN
I am art. It’s what I know. It’s how I release. It’s my life.
From childhood, I have always been inspired by various art forms- my dad’s music, my mom’s dance, and my own inclination to draw and paint. My formal training includes high school classes in computer graphics, sketching and painting. Beyond that, I’ve no additional formal training, but I’ve always known this is my purpose: to create, share, inspire and be inspired. I turn my thoughts, feelings and emotions into artwork.
Like other aspects of life, my surroundings and experiences have deeply impacted my work. Music, dance, days spent outdoors as a kid, and school and natural curiosity have all shaped my worldview.
Life is art, life inspires me. Daily life makes me think of art. I don’t set out to create artwork with a particular subject matter, style or technique. These details emerge naturally. My painting evolves from my perception of what I see and feel. While conceptualizing my next collection, I came across images from an African tribe. It made me ponder how they are likely perceived, especially by the Western world.
Beauty can often be seen as one dimensional, but looking beyond our own perspective and influences reveals so much more in others around the world.
Many may view the large clay plates adorning their lips and ears as unbecoming, but I saw the beauty recognized by their communities. My research revealed that these plates signify not only marital status but also beauty. As I delved deeper, I began to appreciate the art, the uniqueness. There is something profoundly inspirational about experiencing beauty in diverse forms.
Although not as exaggerated, this beauty has influenced many other cultures. Often unknowingly of origins people around the world use similar adornments to express individuality, strength, and beauty.
With this collection, LEVELS OF BEAUTY, I hope to convey that beauty is boundless, abundant, exists everywhere, regardless of the observer’s perspective.
The images of these women are presented in black and white to highlight their raw beauty. By adding an overlay of color, I aim to draw the viewer’s eye to the features that embody the beauty norms of this community.
Jeremy Turpin lives in Tampa Fl, has exhibited in various galleries in the U.S, with an emphasis in New York City. His collections are also beloved in private collections.