Artist Spotlight: David Janssen Jr.

Bliss by David Janssen Jr.

Reach
David Janssen Jr.

Saginaw Valley State University student and Bachelor of Fine Arts candidate David Janssen Jr. constructs digital prints of collages made from magazine images. The collages, originally created in his small sketchbook and converted to large prints, prominently feature female forms which have been fragmented or altered by various shapes and patterns. Some of Janssen’s pieces, such as Bliss, were created by first printing the images at large scale and then collaging on the surface of the canvas.

Skyward
David Janssen Jr.

While Janssen’s figures could be considered provocative, he leaves much of the anatomy to the imagination of the viewer, creating an implication of form with other shapes. The placement of shapes in relation to the surface creates an abstract space, causing the viewer to question the depth or flatness of the image. Often times Janssen will add painted elements to the surface of the printed work. In Skyward, he uses a repeated pattern of dots to create transparencies and overlap, leaving an uncertainty between painted and printed elements.

 Janssen’s work is on display as a part of University Art Gallery’s Cyberspace II Competition Exhibit, open until March 14th with a reception on Thursday, March 13th. Janssen received a Director’s Choice award for his piece Bliss.






Amy Gibas
Gallery Assistant
University Art Gallery
Saginaw Valley State University