Jeff Conefry

BIOGRAPHY

Lives and works in Greenpoint Brooklyn, NY, USA

EDUCATION

MFA, Hunter College, New York, NY
BFA. Purchase College, Purchase NY

Rhode Island School of Design

ARTIST STATEMENT

Currently, I’m interested in how objects and actions create a physical narrative able to speak to ideas of both power and self. Perception of what something is and how it might have been made, creates the fundamental structure guiding my work. The goal is to present a situation the viewer can engage and unpack in a way that changes how objects are understood. I try to present things very simply and directly, favoring simple forms able to express themselves fundamentally.
Most of my current works are wood or metal mesh structures supporting multiple layers of acrylic paint or silicone rubber. The completed object is then disrupted with a direct action, such as cutting, bending, drilling or hinging. I leave this list of materials and actions in plain sight, generating the physical narrative able to retain traces of intent, morality, and sex. Presenting my objects emphasize self-evaluation common to the creative process. Questions raise more questions, sometimes within the work, but more commonly in how I relate to the work I make. Hyper self-awareness tends to expose imperfections. It is these imperfections and surrounding idiosyncrasies that I work
against, but accept as part of the process. Perfection is boring. It is the abundance of flaws that I seek to engage.