Jiri Geller

The artist Jiri Geller is many things: a silversmith, a magician, a punk rocker, a sculptor and a perfectionist. His artist name itself, which is taken from the TV magician Uri Geller, reveals where the roots of Jiri Geller’s art lie. He is an illusionist of his own art, his works seek to mislead and to challenge viewers to rethink their ideas about the surrounding world and to change their conception of reality. Geller himself says his art is dangerous and seductive, and talks about “the lure of destruction and the enchantment of the vulgar”.

At the centre of Geller’s works is Pop art and its numerous subgenres, which he freely adapts by, in his own unique way, crossing their boundaries and combining subjects, symbols and images from different genres. Frequently added to figures and characters from Pop are religious elements; for example, a crown of thorns is placed on Donald Duck’s brow. We can also see influences from rock and punk music, along with strong references to the world of comic books.

The works have a humorous streak; they may laugh, but that laughter is black and cracked. The shadow side that often accompanies the bright, cheerful neon colours and humour typical of Geller involves imagery of death and violence; for example, Vanitas themes, such as the skull, are a recurrent presence. Contrast is a hallmark of Geller’s art; everything is both playful and ponderous, familiar and unknown. In postmodern fashion Geller occupies an intermediate space between all of this and leans towards surrealism with his unreal works that deceive and baffle the viewer.

Submitted by MAKASIINI CONTEMPORARY