Jeff Gillette’s “Dismayland”. Inspired by a vacation to India, Jeff depicts the litter-strewn mud banks of the horribly polluted shoreline of Mumbai India in a whole new light. ”In a continuing series of what I call “slumscape” paintings, reflective of experiences I’ve had touring slums in India I have a particular recollection of an early morning stroll near the bay in Mumbai. After rounding a corner of a row of shanties, I saw about a dozen slum-dwellers crouched, pissing on the shoreline. This vision had a strange effect on me, but instead of depicting it realistically, I’ve altered the “squatters” to be hovering over priceless iconic paintings that have become part of the debris of the rooftops.
Gillette’s other series of works has to do with creating foreground shanties from collaged elements of exclusively Disney children’s books. ” I try to capture the specific direction of light and shadow and linear perspective of the original bits of imagery then “build” the shacks onto painted backgrounds and foregrounds. Afterwards, I add highlights and shadows to integrate the collage into the structures. The juxtaposition from the “Happiest Place on Earth” to one of the ugliest, most wretchedly filthy places, is my intention.”
This reminds me of the stereotypical tan obsessed Orange County girls. My favorite piece.
