Thinkspace Projects is honored to present Jack Shure’s debut solo exhibition “Soul Sanitizer.”
‘Soul Sanitizer’ is a collection of work created to represent how Jack Shure views and digests the world around him. Made up of an amalgamation of styles and subjects, Shure creates an intentionally cryptic narrative of his own personal journey from childhood to parenthood. Using art as a tool for comprehension and processing, the act of creating work becomes his “soul sanitizer,” the vehicle for healing and introspection.
In anticipation for “Soul Sanitizer,” our interview with Jack Shure discusses tapping into creative flow, Beetle Juice, and exploring his subconscious through his work.
For those unfamiliar with your work, can you tell us a little about your background and how you came to work with Thinkspace Projects?
I got my start drawing very young and always kept a sketch book. By the time I got to high school I put a silkscreen press in my parents garage I would spend all my time out there then sell the shirts to kids who sold weed after class. Once out of high school a close friend took me to my first Grateful Dead ( minus jerry) concert. Here I saw many kids my age selling art and it inspired me to do the same. For the better half of 10 years I spent my time on the road selling posters in parking lots around the country.
I bought a piece from the gallery some years ago and always admired their programming and taste. When I felt my art was ready I reached out to Andrew and immediately felt welcomed and supported.
What is the inspiration behind this latest body of work? What themes or techniques were you exploring?
The inspiration behind these works spawned from the creative influences of my youth. I wanted to revisit themes and nuances of the things that drove me to paint in the first place all while creating a personal narrative around the characters and symbols.
What do you find to be the most challenging and yet most rewarding part of the creative process?
Taking things too seriously, I constantly remind myself I make the best marks when I’m at play.
Do you have any rituals that help you tap into a creative flow?
I like to take a moment to breathe and thank creative spirit. I also enjoy dancing like a complete freak in between Strokes.
Who are some of your creative influences that have inspired you or had a direct impact on the development of your artistic voice?
Rick Griffin, Mati Klarwein and Corvaggio would probably be at the top.
Iconographgy from Beetlejuice can be seen throughout your work, do you remember the first time you saw that movie? Why has it left such a lasting impression?
I’m pretty sure I was about eight or nine. I just remember being drawn in by the set design, prosthetics, and non-human characters more than the story itself. Something about the creepy yet goofy ambiance really stuck with me and fits well in my work naturally.
If you could download any skill into your brain, what would it be?
Akido
You’ve shared your work helps you process life and is self-reflective, has there been a piece you’ve worked on that while developing it has illuminated an aspect of your human experience that gave you a new perspective? Could you share the shift?
Every painting has a little taste of it and often reveals itself in ways that can be very mysterious until I understand why my subconscious chose it to begin with. For example, I often choose a subject or symbol that pertains to a significant moment or change in my life, I add these symbols together and they take on a new story that is congruent with my current state. Almost as if the painting is putting the pieces of the story together for me.
What has been the most surprising aspect of fatherhood?
My child is due in October but thus far I’d have to say the introspective journey it has taken me on, really taking inventory of every part of myself and personality.
If an ice cream flavor was made inspired by your work, what would be the ingredients and name of the pint?
Coconut based vanilla with some raspberry and blueberry swirls and it’s called spazz money.
