BFA Thesis Exhibit

Jacob Willcox

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Artist Statement

This body of work investigates signage, and the way it affects our perception of goods and materials. My work explores the visual language of compulsion and consumption; asking what itis about signage that triggers our compulsivity? I employ traditional neon signage to create cacophonous, overwhelming spaces. By overstimulating the audience I am making them implicit in their own influenced consumption. Using neon and mixed media the work exists on the line between risk and reward. Seeing neon signage at billboard proportions in a gallery setting embraces absurdity and engulfs the viewer.
A full wall installation consisting of a neon sign in the bottom right corner that has the 4 card suits alternating in color between red and blue. In the top left corner there is blue neon dice. Placed between these two signs are orange neon arrows pointing at both signs. In the foreground is a neon lighter sculpture. Click to view A full wall installation consisting of a neon sign in the bottom right corner that has the 4 card suits alternating in color between red and blue. In the top left corner there is blue neon dice. Placed between these two signs are orange neon arrows pointing at both signs. In the foreground is a neon lighter sculpture. Full-Screen

Royal Flush // Neon // 20 X 10 X 5 feet (Installation Shot)

A blue neon sign of dice appearing as if they are mid roll. Click to view A blue neon sign of dice appearing as if they are mid roll. Full-Screen

Snake Eyes // Neon // 4 X 5 feet

An installation using the corner of a gallery. This installation consists of a neon sign spelling out, “777” a neon lighter, a neon framed glass sculpture made from slumped beer bottles and a repurposed neon sign. Click to view An installation using the corner of a gallery. This installation consists of a neon sign spelling out, “777” a neon lighter, a neon framed glass sculpture made from slumped beer bottles and a repurposed neon sign. Full-Screen

Triple 7 // Neon, Mixed Media // 10 X 10 X10 feet (Installation Shot)

A wall mounted sculpture consisting of kiln slumped beer bottles framed by a blue neon tube. Click to view A wall mounted sculpture consisting of kiln slumped beer bottles framed by a blue neon tube. Full-Screen

Beer Run // Neon, Glass // 2 X 2 feet

An abstracted 3 dimensional neon sculpture referencing the Bic lighter. Click to view An abstracted 3 dimensional neon sculpture referencing the Bic lighter. Full-Screen

Lighter  // Neon // 1 X 4 X 1 feet

A vertical wall installation of three orange neon signs spelling, “5x” stacked on top of each other. Click to view A vertical wall installation of three orange neon signs spelling, “5x” stacked on top of each other. Full-Screen

Multiply // Neon // 2 X 5 feet

A parking space replicated in the Gallery. The parking lines are made out of long white neon tubes. In between the two white tubes is a concrete parking stop. Centered above the parking stop is a neon sign of a no parking symbol. Click to view A parking space replicated in the Gallery. The parking lines are made out of long white neon tubes. In between the two white tubes is a concrete parking stop. Centered above the parking stop is a neon sign of a no parking symbol. Full-Screen

No Parking // Neon, Mixed Media // 7 X 6 X 8 feet

3 neon pink arrows pointing to the left on top of 3 orange neon arrows. These arrows are blinking and animating sporadically. 2 arrows are on at a time randomly alternating at a fast pace. Click to view 3 neon pink arrows pointing to the left on top of 3 orange neon arrows. These arrows are blinking and animating sporadically. 2 arrows are on at a time randomly alternating at a fast pace. Full-Screen

Ill-Advised // Neon, Animation // 7 X 6 X 8 feet

Ill-Advised // Neon, Animation // 7 X 6 X 8 feet