Jim Stella: Over the Edge, an exhibition of mixed media works by artist Jim Stella, is on view in Rosenbaum Contemporary’s Boca Raton, Fla., gallery (150 Yamato Road) through June 14. The exhibition can be viewed during regular gallery hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Stella coined the term “rap art” to describe his work, which uses words and colors to express his feelings and ideas about news and events, generally of an urban nature. He uses texture, color and the size of various words and symbols as visual entry points for viewers to engage with his works. However, by leaving his art untitled, Stella avoids imposing a single meaning, making the experience deeply personal for each viewer. He uses multiple mediums, such as oil paint and graphite, to help viewers focus on different details when his works are viewed from varying distances. He prefers to work in a large format to allow his thoughts to flow quickly in several different directions. “The size is designed to take up your field of view yet contain small elements your mind can follow,” Stella said.
Stella studied sculpture and anatomy at Pratt Institute in New York and graduated with high honors from the University of Michigan, which he attended on a medical illustration scholarship. He continued his education at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, where he studied watercolor.
Rosenbaum Contemporary, founded in 1979, is based in Boca Raton, Fla., with a second location in Palm Beach, Fla. The gallery caters to international collectors interested in investment-quality works by Postwar, Modern and Contemporary masters and presents nationally recognized museum-level exhibitions throughout the year. The gallery also offers a wide range of free services to collectors worldwide including acquisition advice, art consulting, sourcing of artists, art collection building and management and resale of select works of art.
