Jedd Novatt

Jedd Novatt (born 1958) is an American sculptor who creates dynamic, non-representational compositions of geometric forms. He is best known for his 'Chaos' series (pictured below) of works in either welded steel or bronze.[1] His influences include Cycladic art, Minimalism and Abstract Expressionism.

Life and work

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Novatt studied literature and sculpture at Sarah Lawrence College before moving to France to study sculpture at the Lacoste School of the Arts (now operated by Savannah College of Art & Design).

Novatt lived and worked in Manhattan until 2002, where he was recognized for his welded and painted steel sculptures[2] and bold, black-and-white collages.[3] He currently resides in Paris France and divides his time among studios in Normandy, New York and the Basque region in Spain.

Novatt’s first solo show was in 1993 at the Tibor de Nagy Gallery. Since then, his works have been exhibited extensively in galleries and museums in the United States and Europe. Novatt’s works are held in numerous public and private collections worldwide.

Novatt's primary motif, “Chaos”, involves constructions of cube-like forms. Whether the works are created in steel or bronze, the configuration of elements "seems to teeter as if on the point of collapse.” [4] One critic noted: “Novatt searches to capture an instant of equilibrium in unstable and fragile situations, similar to our existential condition, but also to the particular moment that we are living.” [5]

Novatt's most recent work is a series of monumental sculpture entitled Chaos Vascos (pictured). The first in the series was part of a solo exhibition at La Piscine, Musée d'Art et d'Industrie de Roubaix[6] in France where it remains on permanent exhibition at the museum's entrance. Chaos Vascos II was selected for the Beyond Limits 2008 Sotheby’s exhibition at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, England.

2009 sees the unveiling of Chaos Mundaka (pictured), the third in the series of Novatt's series of monumental works. Chaos Mundaka I, was exhibited at Alfa Arte in Spain before being permanently installed in front of the Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta Georgia, in October 2009. Chaos Mundaka II, will form part of Sotheby's 2009 edition of Beyond Limits at Chatsworth House.

References

1. ^ ( Bertrand, V., Flynn, T., & Gaudichon, B. “Jedd Novatt, Chaos”. Milan: Silvana Editoriale, 2008 (ISBN 978-88-366-1124-9.)
2. ^ Zimmer, William (July 30, 2000) “Variations on Welded Sculpture”, New York Times
3. ^ Gluck, Grace (October 3, 1997). “Art Guide, Jedd Novatt”. New York Times.
4. ^ Tom Flynn - Catalogue essay for 'Susse Chaos' exhibition Hamiltons Gallery, London, December 2008
5. ^ Ghezzi, Rosella, “Jedd Novatt, Between Minimalism and Primary Structures (Jedd Novatt tra minimalismo e strutture primarie)” Il Corriere della Sera, March 11, 2004, p. 57.)
6. ^ Simode, Fabien. “L'oeil en mouvement. Portrait – Jedd Novatt.” L’Oeil, n° 605: Septembre 2008, p. 20.

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