My work deals with increasing storms related to climate change. These storms are often both physical and metaphorical. I explore the idea of home and the aesthetics of architecture while using these forms to create a narrative. I have previously focused on these outside environmental issues, however my paintings and sculptures have recently centered on the inside environment; domestic issues, interruptions, isolation, time, motherhood and mythology.
As I have been investigating warming climate and ocean temperatures, which consequently produce more storms, my frustration with these issues led me to try and create work that I imagine could counteract the earth’s plight. Using ideas based in mythology, sigils are created on sculptures and paintings that act as protection from the catastrophic effects of climate change.
Utilizing various types of wood to paint on, feelings of isolation and reemergence are illustrated by stark, minimal shapes as well as interruptions between moments of paint with jagged cuts of wood, layering paint textures against bleak silhouettes, and juxtaposed with bright colors.
Jessica Demcsak is a New Jersey based artist. Her work primarily focuses on environmental issues, both internal and external. She explores ideas about home and the aesthetics of architecture while using these forms to create a narrative.
Jessica Demcsak received her BFA in Painting from Mason Gross School of the Arts in New Brunswick, New Jersey, her MA in Art Education from Kean University in Union, NJ, and her MFA in Painting from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. She has exhibited mostly in the New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania area, however has work permanently on display in New Orleans. Her work has been included in New American Paintings and Fresh Paint Magazine as well as New Jersey Monthly. She received a Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Grant and participated in the Wonder Women Residency. Jesica Demcsak is in her 23rd year of teaching high school art at Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, NJ. She currently resides in Bridgewater, New Jersey with her husband and three children.
2004
University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
MFA, Painting
2001
Kean University, Union, NJ
MA, Art Education
1999
Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
BFA, Painting
2016
Fresh Paint Magazine
2006
Top 30 Under 30 in New Jersey, NJ Monthly Magazine
2005
Recipient, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Grant
Food For Thought Fellowship, Sumei Multidisciplinary Art Center
New American Paintings Magazine, #57
2006
“Top 30 Under 30 in New Jersey,” New Jersey Monthly, Morristown, NJ
2013
Suspension of Time, International House, Philadelphia, PA
2008
The Crane Adjacent, The Hall, InLiquid at the Crane Arts Building, Philadelphia, PA
2006
Intimate Spaces, Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
Jessica Demcsak, Domo Gallery, Summit, NJ
2024
2024 Benefit Exhibition, Bridgette Mayer Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Material Time, Park Towne Place, Philadelphia, PA
Meoto Yunomi, Tiger Strikes Asteroid, Philadelphia, PA
2022
New Jersey Arts Annual, New Jersey State Museum, Trenton, NJ
2020
Magnum Opus, Wanderlife Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Patterning Nature, InLiquid Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2019
Wonder Women 11: Eye of the Storm, The Pingry School, Basking Ridge, NJ
2018
Wonder Women 11 Eye of the Storm, New Jersey City University, Jersey City, NJ
2017
Dunya, Alhamra Art Center, Bernardsville, NJ
7 Artists 7 Teachers, Farmstead Arts Center, Basking Ridge, NJ
2016
A Dark Wood, Curious Matter and Noyes Museum, Jersey City and Atlantic City, NJ
Heart Wood, Hamilton Street Gallery, Boonton, NJ
Wood Works, Speakeasy Gallery, Boonton, NJ
2015
Nature, The Center For Contemporary Art, Bedminster, NJ
2014
Making It, Hamilton & Arronson Galleries, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Within the Foreground, Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2014 Juried Exhibition, The Center For Contemporary Art, Bedminster, NJ
2011
Sundance Channel, New York City, NY
2009
New Jersey Green, Arts Council of the Morris Area, NJ
2008
SPRAWL, Jersey City Museum, Jersey City, NJ
Landscape on the Edge, Art Trust Gallery, West Chester, PA
2007
Mini Mania II, The Arts Guild of Rahway, Rahway, NJ
2006
Metro 24, City Without Walls, Newark, NJ
Endings & Beginnings, Rock Paper Scissors Gallery, Asbury Park, NJ
The Square Foot Show, Art Gotham, New York, NY
City as Nature, Afif Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2005
Food for Thought, Sumei Multidisciplinary Art Center, Newark, NJ
Urban Life, Esther Klein Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Local Color, Artspace 129, Montclair, NJ
Window on Broad, Philadelphia, PA
SUMFA 10, Rosenwald-Wolf, Hamilton & Arronson Galleries, Philadelphia, PA
Robert Storr, Juror
Young Art Alliance, Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
New American Paintings, Juried Exhibition in Print, April#57
James Howe Gallery, Kean University, Union, NJ
2004
MFA Thesis Exhibition, The Crane Building & Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Happy Birthday, Nova Fine Art, Clinton, NJ
2002
WIP Show Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
International Juried Competition, New Jersey Center for Visual Arts, Summit, NJ
