Apart from the severed head of Waylaid, which is about as simple a statement as you’ll see, the work of Jim Houser requires some closer inspection. Being largely composed of cohesive but self-contained sub-units which taken in isolation themselves give an insight into the artist’s state-of-mind, his patchwork creations of acrylic on wood and fabric are a fantastic jigsaw which draw the attention toward them with ever-increasing complexity.

As part of the collection Search Party, on display at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery, New York, nautical works such as Noreaster and Seabed are skilful though straightforward, but in Rippers we begin to see the magic happen, blocks of chunky waves cresting and smashing together in a choppy but miscible piece. This technique is taken in a more introspective direction with Goodtone; cartoon representations, icons and typography make up the fabric of Houser’s mental quilt. Get swept away by his strong current until 4th May.

Good Tone
acrylic and collage on wood panel
48 x 48 inches
(121.92 x 121.92 cm)

Seabed
acrylic and collage on wood panel
48 x 48 inches
(121.92 x 121.92 cm)

GNRS
mixed media assemblage on wood panel
48 x 48 inches
(121.92 x 121.92 cm)

Waylaid!
acrylic and collage on wood panel
48 x 48 inches
(121.92 x 121.92 cm)

In The Red
acrylic and collage on wood panel
48 x 48 inches
(121.92 x 121.92 cm)

Rippers
acrylic and collage on wood panel
48 x 48 inches
(121.92 x 121.92 cm)