#HTE

Spiraling Rainbow Vortexes Created From Layered Paper by Jen Stark

Full Circle (detail), 2014, latex spray paint on PVC, monofilament, 36 x 36 x 76 in., all images via Jen Stark

Jen Stark’s work appears like psychedelic wormholes, pulsating and multi-colored portals that might throw you into another dimension entirely. Working outward from an equally prismatic core, the pieces radiate entire spectrums of color from layered paper, PVC, or foam board. These contrasting colors and repetition give the works a feeling of movement and cyclical regeneration and feel almost as if one is staring into a deep and hypnotizing cavern.

Stark’s work concentrates on this hypnotic feel, both in its aesthetic and time-intensive process of layering hundreds of material components. Once composed, the works give the illusion of the infinite, as if their colors never truly end. “The idea of infinity is so hard to grasp, and I love this challenge,” Stark told Colossal. “I think small bits of infinity are the building blocks of nature, like in the never ending patterns of fractals and particles… I think geometry, nature, and mathematics have everything in common!”

We most recently encountered Stark’s work last month during our weekend at FORM Arcosanti with WeTransfer where she was taking a short hiatus from layered paper works to produce customized face paintings in her same colorful style. You can see more of her works and travels on her Instagram, and make sure to look out for an upcoming solo exhibition with Eric Firestone Gallery later this year.

Vortextural, 2013, installation of hand-cut acid-free paper, foam board, glue, 42 x 35 x 30 in.

Box 1, 2014, acid-free paper, foamboard, glue, MDF, paint, 10 x 10 x 10.25 in.

Cosmic Shift, 2015, hand-cut acid-free colored paper, foam board, glue, acrylic paint, wood, varnish, 37 x 24 x 25 in.

Cosmic Shift (detail), 2015, hand-cut acid-free colored paper, foam board, glue, acrylic paint, wood, varnish, 37 x 24 x 25 in.

Pedestal (detail), 2013, acid-free paper, foam core, MDF, paint, glue, 22 x 22 x 36 in

Vortex (detail), 2014, acid-free colored paper, glue, wood, paint, 32 x 34 x 4 in.

The Whole (detail), 2012, installation of hand-cut acid-free paper, foam board, glue, drywall, 3 x 3 x 3.5 ft

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2016/06/spiraling-rainbow-vortexes-by-jen-stark/