Jedd Novatt
Encyclopedia
Jedd Novatt 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. His influences include Cycladic art
, Minimalism
and Abstract Expressionism
.
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 and bold, black-and-white collage
s. 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.” 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.”
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 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
.
In 2011, an American benefactor donated "Chaos Pamplona" to the Town of Yountville located in Napa Valley, California. This monumental work was installed on July 11, 2011. The official dedication ceremony will take place at 10am on July 16, 2011 with both the benefactor and artist in attendance.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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. His influences include Cycladic art
Cycladic art
Cycladic art encompasses the visual art of the ancient Cycladic civilization, which flourished in the islands of the Aegean Sea from 3300 - 2000 BCE. Along with the Minoans and Mycenaeans, the Cycladic people are counted among the three major Aegean cultures...
, Minimalism
Minimalism
Minimalism describes movements in various forms of art and design, especially visual art and music, where the work is set out to expose the essence, essentials or identity of a subject through eliminating all non-essential forms, features or concepts...
and Abstract Expressionism
Abstract expressionism
Abstract expressionism was an American post–World War II art movement. It was the first specifically American movement to achieve worldwide influence and put New York City at the center of the western art world, a role formerly filled by Paris...
.
Life and work
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Novatt studied literature and sculpture at Sarah Lawrence College
Sarah Lawrence College
Sarah Lawrence College is a private liberal arts college in the United States, and a leader in progressive education since its founding in 1926. Located just 30 minutes north of Midtown Manhattan in southern Westchester County, New York, in the city of Yonkers, this coeducational college offers...
before moving to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan 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
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
until 2002, where he was recognized for his welded and painted steel sculptures and bold, black-and-white collage
Collage
A collage is a work of formal art, primarily in the visual arts, made from an assemblage of different forms, thus creating a new whole....
s. He currently resides in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
France and divides his time among studios in Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
, New York and the Basque region in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
.
Novatt’s first solo show was in 1993 at the Tibor de Nagy Gallery
Tibor de Nagy Gallery
The Tibor de Nagy Gallery is an art gallery in New York City, USA. It was involved in the discovery of many of the Second Generation Abstract Expressionist Movement’s most important artists and also representational artists of the era including Grace Hartigan, Alfred Leslie, Helen Frankenthaler,...
. 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.” 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.”
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 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
Chatsworth House
Chatsworth House is a stately home in North Derbyshire, England, northeast of Bakewell and west of Chesterfield . It is the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, and has been home to his family, the Cavendish family, since Bess of Hardwick settled at Chatsworth in 1549.Standing on the east bank of the...
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
Savannah College of Art and Design
SCAD, the Savannah College of Art and Design, is a private, accredited and degree-granting university with locations in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, Hong Kong, and Lacoste, France.-History:...
, Atlanta Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, in October 2009. Chaos Mundaka II, will form part of Sotheby's
Sotheby's
Sotheby's is the world's fourth oldest auction house in continuous operation.-History:The oldest auction house in operation is the Stockholms Auktionsverk founded in 1674, the second oldest is Göteborgs Auktionsverk founded in 1681 and third oldest being founded in 1731, all Swedish...
2009 edition of Beyond Limits at Chatsworth House
Chatsworth House
Chatsworth House is a stately home in North Derbyshire, England, northeast of Bakewell and west of Chesterfield . It is the seat of the Duke of Devonshire, and has been home to his family, the Cavendish family, since Bess of Hardwick settled at Chatsworth in 1549.Standing on the east bank of the...
.
In 2011, an American benefactor donated "Chaos Pamplona" to the Town of Yountville located in Napa Valley, California. This monumental work was installed on July 11, 2011. The official dedication ceremony will take place at 10am on July 16, 2011 with both the benefactor and artist in attendance.
External links
- La Piscine- Roubaix
- Beyond Limits at Chatsworth House
- Hamiltons Gallery
- Hopkins Custot
- Studio Visconti
- JEDD NOVATT, Marc de Montebello Fine Art, 9 East 84th Street, (212) 472-0918 (New York Times)
- Variations on Welded Sculpture (New York Times)
- Jedd Novatt tra minimalismo e strutture primarie (Corriere della Sera)