The free-association of ideas and methods exploring how our minds work in relation to images and objects in a creative medium best embraces the artwork of Jolan Emamali. His radical voice and varying trajectories, at first glance, have an absurd and surrealist tone to them, often without any direct thought or influence, but with further observation, reflect the fragile state of the human condition. Emphasizing art-objects that are often understood as absurd, irrational, obscene or plain drivel; it’s his signature characters – being either figurative or abstract - interaction with these absurd images that help to explore the causality of life and our placement in the universe. Being surrounded by mundane objects and surreal imagery, the characters explore their situation to understand their meaning, by interpreting values to tackle disappointments and casualties of their existence.
One of many talents in and out of the art profession, Emamali’s ball and chain is painting and drawing. As evidenced by his art style consisting of: explosive and vivid imagery of peculiar and uncomfortable thoughts, exploration of positive and negative space, and the use of several contrasting colors conflicting with interweaving movement. The emphasis of basic shapes and lines provide the viewer a road to was is familiar and what is clearly irrational and off-kilter. As demonstrated in his post-modern works: “Poke-Her”(2003), “Pro-Abortion” (2008), and “Peanut Butter Boo Boo” (2011), Emamali scatters political and social concepts through juxtaposed, often obscene objects encouraging the viewer to become more in tuned with their dark comic personality and explore the obtuse notions and tolerance of uncomfortable ideas, bias judgments, and prejudicial notions.
While Emamali uses a variety of materials and mediums including acrylic painting, pencil drawing, monoprinting, and digital photography, it's his methodology with each artwork that is consistent. With recurring themes of surreal, absurd, and dream-like imagery tackling gender roles, the human condition, classic philosophy, pop culture, religion, and globalization. Emamali’s signature is his ability to convey controversial images and ideas of miscommunication, ignorance, political sedation, isolation, and a lack of tolerance. Then reflexively, providing solutions of equality, harmony, and globalization in helping to find the meaning of life and what is beyond the stars.
One of many talents in and out of the art profession, Emamali’s ball and chain is painting and drawing. As evidenced by his art style consisting of: explosive and vivid imagery of peculiar and uncomfortable thoughts, exploration of positive and negative space, and the use of several contrasting colors conflicting with interweaving movement. The emphasis of basic shapes and lines provide the viewer a road to was is familiar and what is clearly irrational and off-kilter. As demonstrated in his post-modern works: “Poke-Her”(2003), “Pro-Abortion” (2008), and “Peanut Butter Boo Boo” (2011), Emamali scatters political and social concepts through juxtaposed, often obscene objects encouraging the viewer to become more in tuned with their dark comic personality and explore the obtuse notions and tolerance of uncomfortable ideas, bias judgments, and prejudicial notions.
While Emamali uses a variety of materials and mediums including acrylic painting, pencil drawing, monoprinting, and digital photography, it's his methodology with each artwork that is consistent. With recurring themes of surreal, absurd, and dream-like imagery tackling gender roles, the human condition, classic philosophy, pop culture, religion, and globalization. Emamali’s signature is his ability to convey controversial images and ideas of miscommunication, ignorance, political sedation, isolation, and a lack of tolerance. Then reflexively, providing solutions of equality, harmony, and globalization in helping to find the meaning of life and what is beyond the stars.