Inland Art: Structurally sound ‘Structures’ by John Boylan a curiously anti-establisment exhibit at Peoria Art Guild

NICHOLE GRONVOLD ROLLER

John Boylan’s solo exhibition, “Structures,” will be featured in the Peoria Art Guild’s main gallery starting with an opening reception on First Friday, 5-9 p.m. Aug. 4. Boylan’s mixed-media architectural series encompasses references to the Peoria area, including residential, commercial, and industrial architecture.

During a recent visit with Boylan, the artist was immersed in preparation for his upcoming exhibition. When asked about the intention of the show, Boylan shared ambitions of creating new works in regard to the local area. Documentation of various dwellings ranges from recognizable to deconstructed imagery.

‘Main Street’ by John Boylan created with acrylic, enamel, pencil, IDOT scraps, studio scraps, silicone, paper.

Boylan, also known as Artjeb, has developed a branding of his work that aligns with artists such as Picasso, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Warhol to pop icon Bob Ross — all of whom have become common household names.

Curious about where the name Artjeb came from? Boylan revealed that “ArtJeb is all branding and my ‘business card.’ Art stands for art, and jeb are my initials (John Edward Boylan). I give out several hundred stickers a year.”

Another characteristic that the artist embraces is a love of animals. Boylan has been a vegetarian for more than 30 years and is currently a vegan. “I do it for the animals, and it was specifically the practice of factory farming that made me make the leap. That and the fact that you don’t need to eat animals to live.”

JOHN BOYLAN

Boylan keeps busy with his studio practice, work, and family. “I have four hairless cats. The breed is called Sphynx, and they are all rescues. I have four kids, with a set of triplet girls who will turn 18 in December.”

The artist studied at Columbia College in Chicago, with a concentration in painting, printmaking, and experimental photography. Inquiring about influences, “I can’t say I have any one or two particular art influences today,” Boylan said. “When I was in college, one heavy influence was Joseph Cornell.

“At one point, I went through a period where I tried not to look at art at all, just so I wouldn’t be influenced,” The artist continued. “I didn’t last more than a couple of years doing that, as I knew I was depriving myself. Modern-day influences come from a lot of graffiti/street artists who turned famous as ‘artists.’ Examples are Jason Revok and David Choe.”

‘Pilsen’ by John Boylan was created with acrylic, enamel, paper, elbow grease on wood.

Music also plays a role in Boylan’s artwork. He says that he gravitates towards “a lot of old school Hip-Hop and Punk Rock that often carries a certain “F the establishment” vibe. I like to use a lot of song titles and favorite verses when naming particular pieces.”

The multidisciplinary artist employs a variety of materials — acrylic, enamel paint, epoxy resin, photographs, and laser print transfers. Additionally, he works with an array of subject matter.

The artist’s Instagram page contains an assortment of curious underground figures manipulated and distorted in contrast with his architectural series. The artwork is a collection of charged-saturated colors, a concoction of surreal and pop imagery with comic book undertones — a mash of a little bit of everything.