James Mlaker

I have always been intrigued with the tenets of existential philosophy and the concept of Johari’s Window, which is the relationship of the hidden expressed known and unknown selves with the perceived known and unknown selves. The existential nature of Johari’s Window expressed through the intricacies and inter-relationships of the exposed and hidden selves provide the foundation and inspiration for my artistic endeavors. Using vibrant colorful explosions of layers and masks, my works revolve around social, political, spiritual, environmental, philosophical and/or psychological themes, where the creative process itself serves as a cathartic release of the mounting pressures building beneath the surface of the mask of my exposed self. “The tears one sheds may serve to cleanse the mask, but when all is said and done and the tears have all dried, the mask still remains much as it always was and always has been, fully intact and firmly seated in place. All of which begs one to wonder if the more things change, the more they appear to remain the same. Or do they?” (J. Mlaker, 2005)

Biography: I am a self-taught digital artist, whose works are rooted in the union of digital photography and computer graphics. My works are constructed using multiple layers and masks; where the artistic construction process is also a reflection of individual and collective human psyches which are mired in infinitesimal layers and masks, with some co-existing in symbiotic and harmonious relationships, while others co-exist in direct conflict with one another. The works I create are rooted in an exploration of the concept of Johari's Window, which is the relationship of the hidden expressed known and unknown selves with the perceived known and unknown selves, expressed through social, political, spiritual, environmental, philosophical and/or psychological themes. I find that my work tends to flow out of a strange combination of my life experiences, my educational background (BA Psychology and MS Professional Counseling), my intuitive nature, along with my ADHD pervasive symptom of inattentiveness (which isn't really being inattentive, but rather being over-attentive to one's surroundings). I find there is a true artistic asset to my "over-attentiveness", in that everything I perceive serves to pique my interest and subsequently results capturing subtle, sometimes unusual, and highly fascinating everyday images which are often overlooked by the average person. I am influenced by the works of Dali, Kahlo, Pollock, Escher, Picasso and Olbinski. I am a juried member of Artspace 2000, have been twice invited to participate in the Biennale Internazionale dell'Arte Contemporanea (2005 and 2007) in Florence, Italy (http://www.florencebiennale.org/), exhibited 10 works in the New York Art Festival (http://www.nyartfestival.com/ in Las Vegas, June 23rd), exhibited 15 works in the June, 2005 group show at the DLG Gallery (Chicago, IL), exhibited three works in the Los Angeles Center for Digital Art Snap to Grid exhibition (September, 2005), exhibited 30 works in the North Beach Oasis Annual Art Festival (Racine, WI), exhibited 15 works as an invited guest artist (Gallery 380) in the Waukesha Autumn Art Crawl (Waukesha, WI), exhibited six works in the "Urban Jungle" group show (May/June 2006) at the Art Bar (Milwaukee, WI), exhibited six works in the June 2006 group show at 4Art Inc Gallery (Chicago, IL), exhibited 50 works at the 2006 Annual Bay View Bash (Milwaukee, WI) and exhibited 50 works in the August and September Milwaukee Public Market Art Show (Milwaukee, WI). I was the featured new artist in the Digital Abstract website (http://www.digitalabstract.com) for the month of April, 2005 and I received a third place award ("Lost in Song" - Spirit and Creative Force) in the 2005 Artists Helping Artists & Creative Line Magazine Call to Arts International Juried Art Competition (Cal Poly Downtown Center, Pomona, CA, June 25, 2005). I am currently exhibiting six works in Gallery Now (http://www.gallerynow.com/mlaker), 24 works in the Arthby's online gallery (http://www.arthbys.com/jm_gallery.htm), one piece in the MIAD Venado Tuerto 2006 exhibition (Argentina) and 14 works in Sven's Caf? (Milwaukee, WI). Upcoming exhibitions include the Art Bar (Milwaukee WI), Infusion Gallery (Los Angeles, CA), World Fine Art Gallery (New York, NY), Frank Stone Gallery (Minneapolis, MN) and the AX Space Gallery (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia). Some of my works are presently on display online at: http://www.geocities.com/jmlakerartworks http://www.arthbys.com/jm_gallery.htm http://www.gallerynow.com/mlaker http://jymjak.digitalart.org/ http://www.digitalabstract.com http://www.finerworks.com/mgallery/artists.asp?U_ID=jymjak. Contact: jymjak@sbcglobal.net or 414-736-0344

Country: United States

E-mail: jmlaker@sbcglobal.net

Site: JMlaker Artworks