Jeff Scofield: An Upcycled World Map

During the month of September Jeff Scofield, the ‘A.I.R'(Artist In Residence) at TheJamjar, will create an original sustainable artwork for display to the public. This artwork will consist of a large, wall-sized world map made entirely of recycled paper from magazines, newspapers, upcycled book pages and more. This large-scale installation will promote the message that the planet must be preserved through conservation, recycling, and careful stewardship of natural resources.
The public is invited to stop by thejamjar at any time to watch Jeff’s process and progress over the month.

WORKSHOP:
September 24, 10AM-1PM: Create small format artworks, with simple compositions, using recycled newspapers and found objects such as ribbons, buttons and other household items. Explore using natural materials such as fabrics, paper and salvaged items. Experiment with techniques involving collage, natural colour combinations, and other sustainable art themes.

ARTIST TALK:
September 21, 6PM-8PM: Jeff Scofield will deliver a talk about ‘Sustainability in Art,’ with a visual presentation involving many artworks as examples. He will provide a broad overview of sustainability issues and how they are interpreted by artists practicing in the Middle East. Followed by a Q&A session.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Jeff Scofield is an American artist who studied at the Ateliers des Beaux Arts de la Ville de Paris after earning his Master of Architecture degree at Columbia University in New York. He migrated to Dubai 10 years ago, and is now a Director at the Dubai International Art Centre.

Considering himself a visual researcher, Jeff upcycles found objects and everyday materials to create minimalist paintings, sculpture, and installation art. His artworks are conceptual, focusing on the exploration of natural materials to reveal their intrinsic nature in terms of light, texture, color, movement and space. Jeff mixes together metal, wood, sand, plaster, wires, steel cables, grills, fabrics, glass and light. Working at large and small scales, Jeff’s art evokes the complexities and contradictions of modern life through the exploration of sustainable themes.

An important aspect of Jeff’s artistic practice is interactive public art. He has collaborated on numerous public events involving sustainable art activities, such as the UAE Green Festival in 2014. Jeff also conducts mixed media art workshops for adults and children. He recently conducted a series of sustainable art workshops at the Sikka Art Fair 2015, and conducted green art workshops with The Jam Jar at Quoz Arts Festival 2016, both in Dubai. Jeff has participated in a number of sustainable art exhibitions, including Sustaining Identity at Tashkeel in 2015.

While emerging as a professional artist, Jeff has been collaborating with other visual artists based in the UAE, exploring sustainable themes each in their own way. Recently they completed an Artist in Residence program at the Liwa Art Hub, where they experimented with salvaged materials. Together they held a group show at the Abu Dhabi Art Hub in September 2015 to exhibit their different visions of sustainable art. This year Jeff will do a similar Artist in Residence program at The Jam Jar to showcase sustainable aspects of his art to the public.

Jeff’s artwork has been exhibited at various art institutions and cultural events in Italy, Belgium, the USA, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. His paintings and sculptures have won numerous prizes, notably the “4th International Emerging Artist Award” for the Gallery Show Award category. His installation art has been selected for several juried exhibitions, including “Sikka Art Fair” during Art Dubai 2016. His artworks are in corporate, institutional and private collections throughout the USA, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.