Jeffrey
Veregge, a Port Gamble S'Klallam tribal member, has been creating
art for most of his life. A few years ago, after exploring different
art techniques, Jeffrey decided to mix two art forms he admires
most, Salish form line with comic book super heroes and Sci-Fi.
"I took what I like of Salish form line design, the elements and
the spirit of it and decided to mix it with what I do as an artist
and put my own take on it," said Jeffrey about his latest art pieces.
His earlier work had a Picasso-esque theme that centered on
native images. "I love cubist art. I like that it is messy but to
be honest my heart wasn't behind it [his earlier work], it wasn't
a true reflection of me," explained Jeffrey. After taking a yearlong
break to learn how to accept his nerd side, Jeffrey began to embrace
his love of comic books, action figures and science fiction by recreating
his favorite characters in the Salish design.
"Salish form line is beautiful and this felt like a natural
extension. Comic books, Star Wars and all this stuff are equivalent
to modern day myths and Salish art tells stories and myths," said
Jeffrey.
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Last Son
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The sleek lines of the Salish design applied to superheroes
such as Batman and Spiderman give them a solid and defined silhouette
against a simple background. Because the placing of empty space
against the background and the color contrast are both well thought
out, the figures convey a sense of power and motion to the viewer.
"I want to represent the comic characters in a good and noble way
which they were intended," said Jeffrey.
Jeffrey is surprised and grateful for the success of his art,
"A lot of native comic fans have approached me; a lot of support
and wonderful emails, along with school programs asking for me to
come show my work to inspire the students," said Jeffrey. With the
support from the fans he intends to recreate many more comic and
Sci-Fi characters. Currently in the works are Iron man and possibly
Deapool. Jeffrey is also organizing his attendance to the Tacoma
Jet City Comic Show this November, where he will have a booth and
be doing an exclusive print for the show and to Seattle's Emerald
City Comicon March 2014.
Jeffrey studied Industrial Design at Seattle's Art institute
and the Salish form line from Master Carver David Boxley, a Tsimshian
native from Metlakatla, Alaska. Prints are available for purchase
through his website, jeffreyveregge.com . T-shirt designs and baseball
hats will be available for purchase soon.
His art can be seen at, In the Spirit: Contemporary Northwest
Native Arts Exhibit located in Tacoma, at the LTD Art Gallery in
Seattle, The Burke Museum and The Washington State History Museum.
Other recent art commissions include a piece commissioned for the
Tulalip Youth Center for their Suicide prevention campaign, a Steer
Clear campaign with the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board
and a double sided mural in Edmonton, Alberta.
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Scarlett Blur
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For more information please visit jeffreyveregge.com
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