Points of Reference by Jerry Mannell at Meyer Najem

Jerry Mannell, an artist known for his diverse influences, doesn't aim to emulate specific artists but draws inspiration from various sources, including the transitional phase of abstract art. His background in graphic design is evident in his use of shape and composition, blending seamlessly with his image-oriented approach.

Mannell's creative process varies, sometimes starting with a composition, other times with an image in his mind, resulting in a unique and conceptual style that is somewhere between the surreal and pop genres.

“The freedom to mix abstract or two dimensional shapes in an otherwise representational framework allows me great freedom in my palette,” says Mannell. “I can deviate from the natural world and its colors exactly because I incorporate non-representational elements in a painting. I like color, you just can’t easily get odd juxtapositions of color in a wholly natural setting.”

The surreal quality comes through in his work not in terms of technical execution but rather in its conceptual presentation.

“I try to keep my imagery open-ended so that viewers can bring their own frame of reference and perhaps achieve something common,” Mannell explains. “Poets use dualities in language to the same effect. My greatest compliment is when different people see entirely different meanings in a painting, or better yet, when one individual sees more than one idea.”

See Mannell’s full exhibit, Points of Reference, in the Meyer Najem 2nd floor gallery, located at 11787 Lantern Road in Fishers, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You can meet Mannell at his free public reception on Saturday, October 21 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Meyer Najem. All works are for sale, and can be purchased by scanning the QR code in the gallery.