American artist Jeff Scofield is one of 15 artists currently exhibiting in Tashkeel’s annual show. This year it address the theme of sustainability and the art works were collected by open call.
Scofield's installation, The City by The Sea, is a series of collected glass jars filled with sea shells from Dubai's Open Beach, to summarise the identity of the city - a modern city located at the edge of the sea. Its purpose is to bring attention to the delicate natural species in and around our cities and to protect the ecosystems where they thrive. In this way, says the artist, we can maintain the wonderful biodiversity for future generations of city dwellers to enjoy.
The exhibition, Sustaining Identity runs until the end of the month at Tashkeel and here, I caught up with Jeff to hear all about his artwork.
Anna Seaman: What was your inspiration behind this piece?
Jeff Scofield: I am expressing various aspects of light and space through the use of glass, metal and organic materials. My primary intention is to capture the refractions of light passing through the glass jars, creating patterns of contrasting shadows and highlights that play upon the wall. The seashells add a delicate touch of colour and life to the composition. I like the quiet tone of this installation; despite the large scale of the work, it is calm and serene, almost Zen.
AS: The theme of sustainability was given by Tashkeel, does your work usually cover this topic?
JS: Yes, I am a sustainable artist and have spent years developing creative artworks around this theme. My specialty is installation art featuring recycled furniture and other found objects, which I use to create minimalist pieces. For instance, I recycle construction materials from building sites in the UAE, and transform them into abstract compositions with the colours of rust and concrete, which should give the viewer a sense of the energy of a construction site. I strive to create beautiful artworks with sustainable means.
AS: Why are you so interested in sustainability as a theme for your art?
JS: I present my work to the public as sustainable art in order to make a statement about the direction our culture should take. I've participated in a number of art exhibitions dealing with sustainability, including a group show in Dubai titled Green Oasis in 2009, a solo show at Gallery 76 called Recycling into Abstraction in 2011, a group exhibition for the UAE Green Festival 2014 titled Recycling Art, as well as the group show Sustaining Identity at Tashkeel this year. I am also presenting a paper on sustainability in art at the upcoming World Art Dubai Fair this weekend.
AS: How long did you take to put together The City by the Sea and do you hope to exhibit it anywhere else after Tashkeel?
JS: It took a month to assemble the installation, using glass jars that I accumulated over a year, and seashells that took a month to collect on Dubai Open Beach. I hope to sell the piece, although it’s a bit large for a private collector’s living room; at three by three metres in dimension, it requires a big space in order to appreciate the piece fully. I hope a hotel would put it in their lobby or a corporation would place it in their offices, in order to demonstrate their support for sustainable issues to a wide public.
AS: What is your opinion about the general public’s view of sustainability in the UAE, what would be your advice to improve the situation?
JS: There is a general understanding about sustainability but it is clearly not a priority for most people in the UAE. There’s more to sustainability than conserving water and reducing energy consumption. It’s also about economics, politics and culture, which must work together with ecological improvements, in order to ensure a better life for future generations. Solutions must be viewed with a long-term perspective. The key is educating the public, and that will be an ongoing activity as we strive for a sustainable lifestyle.
For more information about Jeff's work and practice visit: www.jeffscofield.net
