James Verbicky

Mindstream, 19

2018

Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada from Polish descent, James Verbicky lived the majority of his early life between Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia. As an adult, Verbicky moved to the U.S., and after struggling with legitimacy for many years, was awarded the rarely bestowed ''Extraordinary Ability'' green card from the U.S. government due to his extensive involvement with a myriad of museums, galleries, charity organizations, and publications across America. In 2008, his work was selected for a 110 year-old juried exhibition at the Louvre, in Paris, France, with the Societie Nationale des Beaux-Arts. In 2010, Verbicky debuted the media paintings, mixed media works that stimulate the viewer with both content and texture. The three dimensional surfaces transcend traditional painting and venture into the realm of sculpture, and by utilizing vintage media and graphics, advertisements, and obsolete branding materials, Verbicky presents us with the result of decades of attempts to persuade, manipulate, and coerce through subtle and suggestive imagery. His works are at once deeply conceptual and hauntingly beautiful and abstract, capturing both forgotten and persisting icons of media and reminding us that we are constantly being influenced. Verbicky original works are counted in thousands of important private, public, celebrity and museum collections in countries all over the world. He collaborates frequently with philanthropic organizations, using his artwork to raise thousands for nonprofits like the Waterkeeper Alliance and the Art of Elysium. His works have been the focus of international exhibitions, from Berlin, to New York City, to Boston, Los Angeles, and San Diego, and have been auctioned by Sothebys & Christie''s.