Opening Reception: Friday, June 23, 6 – 8pm
(Beverly Hills, CA) UTA Artist Space is pleased to present In The Shadows, a new exhibition by the Portland-born, Los Angeles-based self-taught multimedia artist, Devon DeJardin. Drawing from biblical stories surrounding temptation, DeJardin’s newest large-scale paintings, sculptures, and mixed media works explore the complexities of human desire and the consequences of our actions, through a host of themes such as temptation, rebellion, forgiveness, and redemption.
In his adolescent years, DeJardin found refuge in painting and education after suffering from severe anxiety and depression. At university, he studied spiritual traditions from around the world and built a formative foundation of knowledge, philosophy, and a thirst for selfdiscovery that became the catalyst for exploring these themes through painting. Inspired by the emotional, muscular abstraction of Picasso, Nevelson, Duchamp, and Krasner, DeJardin knew he wanted to draw from both common histories and the lived experience in his artistic practice.
DeJardin’s newest series is an evolution of the work for which he is currently known, which references the body, forces of nature, and philosophy, through geometry and architectural forms. The exhibition at UTA Artist Space is informed by the complexity of human emotion and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world filled with temptation and challenges – feelings that all humans experience and have been told through symbolic stories in history. The new large-scale paintings present abstract biblical narratives, such as the Garden of Eden and the Prodigal Son, and portray the beauty and danger of temptation, as well as the journey from recklessness to redemption. Through this new series of intricate paintings, sculptures, and mixed media works, DeJardin invites viewers to reflect on their own actions and the impact they have on their lives and the lives of those around them.
Unveiling a fresh perspective on these traditional tales, DeJardin says, “I wanted to create a body of work that explores the themes of temptation, consequences of our actions, and how these concepts have been explored throughout history. These theological stories offer a powerful allegory for our own struggles with temptation and the human journey. I hope that my work will challenge viewers to reflect on their own lived experiences surrounding these topics.”
“We are eager to showcase Devon DeJardin’s newest body of work,” says UTA Artist Space. “With a studio practice based in Los Angeles, we’ve been able to see his work evolve and develop throughout his multifaceted career. The new paintings and drawings are captivating and offer a unique narrative and point of view that we look forward to presenting to our UTA community and gallery visitors this summer.”
ABOUT DEVON DEJARDIN
Devon DeJardin (b. 1993) is a self-taught, multimedia artist from Portland, Oregon currently working out of Los Angeles, Ca. In his adolescent years DeJardin suffered from severe depression and anxiety, finding refuge in painting. DeJardin uses art — and art history — to understand the world and his place in it. With a background studying spiritual traditions from around the world, and an appreciation for the emotional, muscular abstraction of Picasso, Nevelson, Duchamp, Krasner, DeJardin’s paintings, drawings, and sculpture reference the body, forces of nature, and the application of philosophy to lived experience. With a sense of geometry that is both architectural and organic, and a refined palette that highlights the life of the mind, DeJardin muses on strength, fragility, control, and surrender. DeJardin’s work, for now, focuses on guardians – on entities and forces that protect us, guide us, and challenge us to grow. But often, our real life ‘guardians’ come in forms we don’t recognize: challenges that force us to learn new skills, losses that teach us emotional resilience, crises that show us our inner strength. Devondejardin.com @devondejardin
ABOUT UTA ARTIST SPACE
Since the establishment of its flagship Beverly Hills location in 2018, UTA Artist Space has been committed to showcasing art by globally recognized talent. With the opening of an Atlanta location in spring 2023, UTA Artist Space expands its impressive vision and reach across the United States. The original location has presented notable exhibitions with interdisciplinary artists and creatives, including Enrique Martinez Celaya, Mandy El-Sayegh, Conrad Egyir, The Estate of Ernie Barnes, Essence Harden, Ferrari Sheppard, and Ai Weiwei, among others. UTAArtistSpace.com @utaartistspace
ABOUT UTA
UTA (United Talent Agency) unites ideas, opportunities and talent. The company represents some of the world’s most iconic, barrier-breaking artists, creators and changemakers—from actors, athletes and musicians to writers, gamers and digital influencers. One of the most influential companies in global entertainment, UTA’s business spans talent representation, content production, as well as strategic advisory and marketing work with some of the world’s biggest brands. UTA is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, New York and London. More information can be found at unitedtalent.com @unitedtalent
Image credit: Courtesy of the artist and UTA Artist Space. Photo by Jeff McLane.
PRESS CONTACTS
Mackenzie Berk
Sutton Communications
mackenzie@suttoncomms.com
216-577-4194