James Verbicky

Edmonton, Alberta born, Southern California based Verbicky presents his Citta Samtana series and Canessonten, or “skull”, paintings – works with three-dimensional surfaces that transcend traditional painting and venture into the realm of sculpture, utilizing vintage media, graphics, advertisements and obsolete branding materials. Debuting as well is Verbicky’s new Bhavanga Series, a transfer of this artist’s ability to create large wall murals onto canvas, employing hand painted and stenciled works that include the subtle use of crystalina (“diamond dust”) in between the movement of his signature horizontal bands.
“Verbicky’s works are a shared psychic location, which reminds me most of the insightful 1960’s notion that information systems overload creates pattern recognition. It was a somewhat visionary and strangely exotic concept back then, but in today’s digital world it is simply the everyday place we all live in. And it is for that salient reason that he strikes me as being both a masterful neo-pop artist and a gifted interpreter of the neo-baroque culture we currently occupy, the electronic world in which all consuming immersive spectacle has become the fabula, or story, of our daily lives. His pieces are thus futuristic relics, mosaic-like stage sets where words and images collide as tertiary mandalas. They are nearly four-dimensional emblemata for a new secular age of sensational saturation.“
Immersive: The Neo-Baroque Paintings of James Verbicky by Donald Brackett
Read More ...
Notable private collections include that of the developer of the NY World Trade Center and CEO of Aecom, (Verbicky’s large canvas ERA Series) along with the esteemed private collection of the Tisch family (founders of the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU and the Tisch Galleries at the NY Metropolitan Museum of Art) and the San Diego Museum of Fine Art, CA. Other private collectors include television personality Dr. Phil, Calvin Klein Supermodel Lara Stone, actors Cameron Mathison, Jon Cryer, Jane Kaczmarek, and the Frank Sinatra Estate in Northridge. In 2008, Verbicky’s work was selected for a 110 year-old juried exhibition at the Louvre, in Paris, France, by the Societie Nationale des Beaux-Arts. Other international exhibitions range from Berlin to New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and San Diego. Verbicky also collaborates with philanthropic organizations by contributing his artwork. In 2017, he received a personal invitation from Robert Kennedy for the Sotheby’s art auction to benefit Kennedy’s Waterkeeper Alliance foundation for cleaner water worldwide.
Read Less
Recent Artwork
Series
Video Interviews
Artist Information

Artist Website: jamesverbicky.com/
In 2010, Canadian born, California resident James Verbicky pioneered the “Citta Samtana” series (sanskrit words which translate loosely into “mental continuum” or mindstream). Themed around our current world of media and branding
and its attempts to persuade, manipulate, and coerce through subtle and suggestive imagery, Verbicky’s series present three- dimensional surfaces that transcend traditional painting and venture into the realm of sculpture, utilizing vintage media, graphics, advertisements and obsolete branding materials. Using acrylic paint, panel and resin (with some works employing LEDs), his abstraction attempts to capture both forgotten and persisting icons of media, reminding the viewer that we are constantly being influenced with, and by, media. With pristine attention to every detail of construction, Verbicky employs bold color combinations and elegantly smooth compositions that gleam under natural light. In 2016, Verbicky’s new Bhavanga Series transferred his wall mural technique onto canvas; presenting hand painted and stenciled works, that include the use of crystalina (“diamond dust”), in his signature horizontal bands. Verbicky has also absorbed multiple West Coast surf and music cultural influences into his work. His extensive experience as a DJ is also reflected in the work, resonating visually via the overlapping and intersecting visual “tracks” that he utilizes in the construction of his profoundly complex image structures. The recursive, opulent element demonstrated by the artist is illuminating in fact, reminding us of the most accurate descriptions of the Baroque sensibility: movement imported into mass; dynamic composition with exaggerated motion; clarity of abundant detail producing dramatic tension and exuberance; intense overload and a sense of overwhelmingly immersive sensual experience.
Notable private collections include that of the developer of the NY World Trade Center and CEO of Aecom, (Verbicky’s large canvas ERA Series) along with the esteemed private collection of the Tisch family (founders of the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU and the Tisch Galleries at the NY Metropolitan Museum of Art) and the San Diego Museum of Fine Art, CA. Other private collectors include television personality Dr. Phil, Calvin Klein Supermodel Lara Stone, actors Cameron Mathison, Jon Cryer, Jane Kaczmarek, and the Frank Sinatra Estate in Northridge. In 2008, Verbicky's work was selected for a 110 year-old juried exhibition at the Louvre, in Paris, France, by the Societe Nationale des Beaux-Arts. Other international exhibitions range from Berlin to New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and San Diego. Verbicky also collaborates with philanthropic organizations by contributing his artwork. In 2017, he received a personal invitation from Robert Kennedy for the Sotheby’s art auction to benefit Kennedy’s Waterkeeper Alliance foundation for cleaner water worldwide.
Selected Exhibitions
2018
* Zona Macho, Ge Galeria, Mexico City, Mexico
* Chin’s Gallery, Bangkok, Thailand
* Madison Gallery, Solana Beach, California
* Christie’s Contemporary Auction, Los Angeles, California
* MCASD, Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, California
* GE Galeria, Monterrey, Mexico
2017
* Sotheby’s, Waterkeeper Alliance, New York City, New York
* Art of Elysium Auction / Sotheby’s / Los Angeles, California
* Gilman Contemporary, Sun Valley, Idaho
* Kostuik Gallery, Vancouver Canada
*Madison Gallery, La Jolla, CA
* Joanne Artman Gallery, Laguna Beach, California
* DTR Modern Galleries, Boston, Massachusetts
2016
* Gilman Contemporary, Sun Valley, Idaho
* Joanne Artman Gallery, Laguna Beach, California
* Art Miami Context, Kostuik Gallery, Miami Florida
* Context Miami, New Gallery of Modern Art, Miami, Florida
* Sotheby’s, Art of Elysium, Los Angeles, California
2015
* Coral Springs Museum, Coral Springs, FL
* Art of Elysium Fundraising Auction / Sothebys Auction House
* Laura Rathe Fine Art / Dallas, TX | 2-Man Show
* Joanne Artman Gallery / Laguna Beach, CA / Solo
* Madison Gallery / La Jolla, CA / Solo
* DTR Modern / Boston, MA / 2-Man
2014
* Art Silicon Valley / Joanne Artman Gallery
* ArtAspen / Forre Fine Art
* Joanne Artman Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA, Solo Exhibition, ‘Divisonaire’
* Madison Gallery, La Jolla, CA, Solo Exhibition, ‘Mode Selector’
* DTR Modern Washington D.C., 2-Man Show
* DTR Modern, Boston, MA: 2-Man Show
* Dallas Art Fair, Madison Gallery, Dallas, TX
* Laguna Art Museum Fundraising Auction, Laguna Beach, CA
* Scope / Art Basel / Forre Fine Art, Miami, FL
* Texas Contemporary Art Fair / Laura Rathe Fine Art, TX
* Houston Fine Art Fair / Laura Rathe Fine Art, Houston, TX
2013
* Joanne Artman Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA: Solo
* DTR Modern, Boston, MA: 2-Man Show
* Madison Gallery, La Jolla, CA / Solo, ERA
* Palm Springs Fine Art Fair, Madison Gallery
* Art of Elysium Charity Auction / Christie’s Auction House
2012
* DTR Modern, Boston, MA / Group ‘Pop Art: Today + Yesterday
‘
* Cheryl Hazan Contemporary Art, NYC / Solo Show, ‘Iconicity’
* Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach, CA / ‘Palette to Palate’ Charity Dinner
* Cheryl Hazan Contemporary Art, NYC / Group, ‘Mark My Words’
* ‘Art for Water’ Sotheby’s Auction to Benefit the Waterkeeper Alliance, Madison Gallery / Mathew Marks Gallery, NYC
* Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach, CA / Charity Fundraising Live Auction
* Los Angeles Art Show / Madison Gallery, La Jolla, CA
* Fellini Gallery, Berlin Germany / Group
* Joanne Artman Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA / Solo, ‘Force Bloom’
* Madison Gallery, La Jolla, CA / Solo, ‘Blitz
‘
* Cheryl Hazan Contemporary, NYC / Group, ‘The Red Show’
* Palm Springs Fine Art Fair, Madison Gallery
* San Francisco Fine Art Fair, Madison Gallery
* Houston Fine Art Fair, Cheryl Hazan Contemporary Art
2011
* Fellini Gallery, Group, Berlin, Germany
* Joanne Artman Gallery, Solo, Laguna Beach, CA, ‘Diffusion’
* Madison Gallery, Group, La Jolla, CA ‘Fresh Blood’
* Charity Auction, Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach, CA
* Cheryl Hazan Gallery, Group, New York City, NY, ‘The Red Show’
2010
* Madison Gallery, Solo, La Jolla, CA
* Charity Auction Billabong Design for Humanity, Paramount Studios, LA
* Laguna Art Museum, Group, Laguna Beach, CA
2009
* Joanne Artman Gallery, Solo, Laguna Beach, CA
* Madison Gallery, Solo, La Jolla, CA
* Joanne Artman Gallery, Group, Laguna Beach, CA
2008
* Societie Nationale des Beaux-Arts, Group, The Louvre Museum, Paris, France
* Karen Lynne West Gallery, Solo, Beverly Hills, CA
* Madison Gallery, Solo, La Jolla, CA
2007
* Karen Lynne West Gallery, Solo, Beverly Hills, CA
* Karen Lynne Gallery, Group, Beverly Hills, CA
2006
* Charity Event, www.One.org, Los Angeles, CA
* Karen Lynne West Gallery, Group, Beverly Hills, CA
2005
* The West End Gallery, Solo, Greenville, SC
2004
* Karen Lynne Gallery, Solo, Boca Raton, FL
* Frank Gehry Art Sphere Project, Group, Track 16 Gallery, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, CA
Museum Exhibitions:
2015
Coral Springs Museum, Coral Springs, Florida
2013
Laguna Beach Art Museum, Laguna Beach, California
2008
Louvre Museum, Paris, France
2007
Cedarhurst Museum, Illinois
Awards
* Invitation, Societie Nationale des Beaux-Arts, the Louvre, Paris, France
* ‘Extraordinary Ability’ Green card / Residency
Notable Collections
Tisch Family Collection / Stanford Medical Center, Public Collection/ Chip Wilson [Lululemon Founder] / Lara Stone [ Supermodel ] / Dr. Phil / McGraw [ Television Personality ] / Drew Houston [ CEO, Dropbox ] / Josh James [ CEO DOMO ] / Nick Woodman [ Founder of GoPro ] / Alexander Gilkes [ Co-Founder, Padddle8 Auction House ] / John Cryer [ Actor ] / Cameron Mathison [Actor, Television Personality ] / Jane Kaczmerek [ Actor ] / Sartini Family Collection / Frank Sinatra Estate Collection / Smith & Wesson Collection
Public
Aria Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada / Palms Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada / Hotel Zetta, San Francisco, California / Stanford Medical Center, Neurology, Stanford, California
2017 Mindstream – View
VIEW DOWNLOAD PDF: VANCOUVER HOME MAGAZINE:
Philanthropic Contributions
2017:
Sotheby’s NYC Waterkeeper Alliance [upcoming]
2016
Art of Elysium Sotheby’s Auction, Los Angeles, California
2014
Laguna Art Museum Annual Fundraising Auction, Laguna Beach, California
2013
Sotheby’s Waterkeeper Alliance Charity Auction, Los Angeles, California
2013
Christie’s Art of Elysium Auction, Ace Museum, Los Angeles, California
2012
Sothebys Charity Auction to Benefit the Waterkeeper Alliance, New York City, New York
2012
Houston Ballet Charity Fundraising Auction, Houston, Texas
2012
Laguna Art Museum / Annual Fundraising Charity Auction, Laguna Beach, California
2012
Laguna Art Museum / Palette to Palate Charity Fundraiser, Laguna Beach, California
2011
Global Grins, Joanne Artman Gallery, California
2011
Laguna Art Museum / Charity Live Auction, Laguna Beach, California
2010
ARTSEEN fundraising exhibition, original works auctioned to benefit the Identify Foundation, Los Angeles, California
2010
Billabong’s ‘Design for Humanity’ Charity Auction / Los Angeles, California
2010
Cool Globes Project’
2010
‘The Collective Sound’ / Laguna Beach, California
2010
‘Schoolpower’ Annual Fundraising Auction, Laguna Beach, California
2009
Rady’s Children’s Hospital Annual Fundraising Auction, San Diego, California
2008
‘Teen with a Dream’ Foundation
2007 – 2010:
Boys & Girls Club, Annual Art Judge.
2007
Cedarhurst Museum, Illinois
2007
One.org, Combating Extreme Poverty
2006
Zimmerman Children’s Museum of Los Angeles.
Aricle/Reveiw title – View

1070 Homer Street,
Vancouver, BC, V6B 2W9, Canada
T. 604.737.3969
E. info@kostuikgallery.com