James Verbicky ~ Omniscience

James Verbicky is renowned for what he calls “media paintings”, large sculptural wood panels layered with vintage advertisements of popular brands and imagery, found on the streets of Paris, then covered in resin. These three dimensional surfaces transcend traditional painting. Layering vintage media graphics, advertisements, and familiar branding materials each painting brings forth a personal connection as a result of decades of media’s suggestive imagery. Paying attention to what is behind each piece of paper, “makes the collage more interesting and creates a certain mood,” he says.

Verbicky’s collages, are abstract pieces that evoke beautiful images and familiar scenes and subjects. Although printed and internet material are ubiquitous in today’s world, Verbicky’s media paintings are a nod to a time when the printed word was integral to the dissemination of information. With the use of these vintage materials and graphics, advertisements, and obsolete branding materials, his paintings expose the symbolism of brand culture. He speaks to us with physical media and through this physical media, he is connecting us to an important conversation that opens our awareness to the influences that play throughout our lives.