PUSHING THE ENVELOPE
Definition:
“To attempt to extend the current limits of performance, to innovate or go beyond commonly accepted boundaries.”
“To move beyond the limit of what has usually been done or was the accepted standard.”
Artist’s Statement:
"Pushing the Envelope" as a metaphor has many meanings in my new body of work.
Hand written letters are part of our lives, obviously more rare now in our new technology era, than before. They are precious and we hold onto them, preserving them, passing them from generation to generation. Hand written letters are physical evidence, close to our hearts. They are treasures and represent significant communications between close people, family and friends. In the letters are captured memories of told or untold stories. They could be mysterious. Letters could be full of unconditional love, passion, uplifting beauty, encourage- ment, and dreams awaiting us in the future.
Envelopes as a material at this exhibit are deeply connected to the generations of the Meibohm family. A century ago they were on display and sold at the Art Shop on Connecticut Street. Later the envelopes were moved around, lost significance of their purpose and ended up stored in the attic of this gallery. A year ago I came across those unused envelopes, and when my dear friend Grace asked me if I could see any use of the envelopes in my art, my eyes started sparkling. I recognized immediately they were something special and could be part of my future exhibit.
Connections between envelopes and the beautiful letters of Walter Meibohm to his mother from WW2 are another layer on top of everything. The screen print of the letter from France and an image of the Statue of Liberty postcard on the translucent organza and paper envelopes brought together a dream about the freedom at the end of the war. All is connected; all is interwoven together in the fabric of our being, past and present – going back and forth. We are all on our own path, which one day will be history for somebody else.
Constant experimentation is a big part of my art. I challenge myself with new ideas, exploring different materials, especially “unwanted stuff” which doesn’t have a future and is going to be eventually thrown away. That material offers enormous potential to be transformed into something unexpected, to be part of a new artistic expression. As an artist, I’m not afraid to go forward, I’m not afraid to break the rules and push boundaries, I’m not afraid to fail or make mistakes. I’m learning from them and turning those to my advantage. Am I pushing the envelope? I guess yes - at least trying.
Jozef Bajus
• All image dimensions are in inches, height precedes width & depth.
• All works are titled and signed by the artist.
• All works are mixed media including: paper, staples, ink & paint, vintage stationary and organza fabric.
• Framed works include conservation shadow box presentation.
• Additional works by Jozef Bajus are available through Meibohm Fine Arts.
Catalog of Exhibition:
Please contact the gallery concerning availability of works from past exhibits.
1. Composition #5
16.5 x 14.75, with frame, 2017
1150.00 (sold)
2. Black & Spots
26 x 21, unframed, 2003
1200.00
3. Verticals #2
12.5 x 6.5, with frame, 2017
400.00 (sold)
4. Dream About Freedom
31.5 x 15 x 2, unframed, 2016
1100.00
5. Summer Afternoon #1
30 x 22.5 x 2.5, unframed, 2016
1650.00
6. Summer Afternoon #2
30 x 22.5 x 2.5, unframed, 2016
1650.00
7. The Heaven’s Gate #2
14.25 x 12.5, with frame, 2017
800.00 (sold)
8. Conversation with a Nice Man I would
Like to Meet #1
21 x 18.75, with frame, 2017
1750.00 (sold)
9. Conversation with a Nice Man I would
Like to Meet #2
21 x 16.5, with frame, 2017
1750.00 (sold)
10. It is Sunday Afternoon of a Very Busy Day
36 x 32, unframed, 2017
1200.00
11. Am Well - All’s Going Well
46 x 14.5, unframed, 2017
1000.00
12. Pushing the Envelope #1
4.5 x 6.5 x 7.5, 2017
450.00
13. Pushing the Envelope #2
3.5 x 6 x 8, 2017
650.00
14. Pushing the Envelope #3
3.25 x 7.25 x 12, 2017
950.00
15. Pushing the Envelope #4
4 x 12 x 6.75, 2017
950.00
16. Pushing the Envelope #5
4.5 x 6.5 x 12, 2017
950.00
17. I Wish to have Keys to All Those Doors
31 x 22 x 2.5, unframed, 2017
1900.00
18. Dance (Homage to Henri Matisse)
26.5 x 35.25 x 1, unframed, 1999-2017
1800.00
19. Staple Studies #1
6.5 x 8, with frame, 2016
345.00
20. Staple Studies #2
6.5 x 8, with frame, 2016
345.00 (sold)
21. Staple Studies #3
6.5 x 8, with frame, 2016
345.00 (sold)
22. The Heaven’s Gate #3
14 x 13, with frame, 2017
800.00
23. Late Afternoon Tea
14.75 x 11.5, with frame, 2015
800.00 (sold)
24. Rhythm #1
14 x 11, with frame, 2017
850.00 (sold)
25. Rhythm #2
14 x 11, with frame, 2017
850.00 (sold)
26. Rhythm #3
14 x 11, with frame, 2017
850.00 (sold)
27. Rhythm #4
14 x 11, with frame, 2017
850.00 (sold)
28. Waves
22.5 x 15 x 2, unframed, 2017
1100.00 (sold)
29. Till We Meet Again
17.75 x 25.25, with frame, 2017
2000.00
30. Under Pressure
17.75 x 25.25, with frame, 2016
2000.00
31. White Nights
30.25 x 23.5 x 1, unframed, 2017
1750.00
32. Hot Summer
23 x 17.25 x 1, unframed, 2017
1450.00
33. Prayer for Peace #3
22.5 x 15, with frame, 2016
1200.00 (BPAC gala donation 2018)
34. Prayer for Peace #4
22.5 x 15, with frame, 2016
1200.00 (donation to Hallwalls 2018 auction)
35. Prayer for Peace #5
22.5 x 15, with frame, 2016
1200.00
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