Jimmy Descant, Severe ReConstructivist
I am a Severe ReConstructivist, specializing in a style called 'Western Futurism' in found object assemblage sculpture, large and small, and I am a live assemblage art performer as well.
Category: Artist/Individual
Discipline: Visual arts
Program Affiliations: Artist Roster | Open Studio Tours Artist | Open Studios Tour 2023
About Jimmy Descant, Severe ReConstructivist
I am a self taught 'Severe ReConstructivist' assemblage artist of 27 years, based in Tucson for 5 years, in a style I call ‘Western Futurism’ - wall hanging found object relief sculptures and large scale installation sculptures, in galleries, museums, and extensive public art commissions and installations around the country.
I grew up in New Orleans and after a 15 year roadie career, started building rocketships from vintage vacuum cleaners. Then 12 years in the Colorado and traveling the West, my focus became a socio/political take on the West's cultures, environments, Peoples, and contemporary topics, developing a performance art style that is the antithesis of soothing action painting - of fast action, loud, energetic severe 10-60 minute instant art events accompanied by bands, dj's, poets, etc., never rehearsed, in one of a kind statements on Arizona, Mexico, the border, and the river's and cultures' dividing lines.
Jimmy Descant
Preferred Pronouns: he/him
jimmydescant@gmail.com
http://www.deluxewest.com
Deluxe Rocketship sculpture
“Reverse Prometheus" 12'x9'x3' 2000 lb
“Reverse Prometheus” started with an old hot water tank that I covered in aluminum diamond plate, and added all my artistic touches. I don’t do any welding in my constructions. The parts I find and bolt together have never seen each other before being installed in this project. I generally find parts and objects in flea markets, garage sales, junkyards, and even in the trash. Mostly previously manufactured parts from the golden era of American craftsmanship and mechanical production. A time when we were the producers as well as the consumers of high quality durable goods and tools of human existence made by anonymous every day artisans who touched our lives. I see in these parts the future craved for and ushered in, given up for a while, and now rising again in technology, space travel, and quality of workmanship in the tools of human existence. As a sculptor, I give back to the gods that which Prometheus stole and bestowed upon us lowly humans… the fire which over thousands of years we have deliberately used for destruction and sins against our own, our world, and even the heavens. But ah, the rub, the yin to yang of an artist’s soul, I also send out and present to the gods that which is good in Mankind. That fire that warmed our neighbor, that light that shone on cave paintings, that electrical spark harnessed for communication and connection, that radio call sent into deep space and waiting for an answer. That possible future. Sold to a private venture in Orlando, FL.
Found object mural
"The Ridgway Ride, With Space To Create"
A commissioned 8’x12′ 3 panel metal story-telling sculpture about the Town of Ridgway, CO, it’s past, present, and futurism in trains, river, Natives, ranching, nature, etc. It was built as a placemaker for artists’ housing, and is now installed onto that building.
Found object assemblage art
“Choke/Give - In the Time of Covid/Floyd" 32"x42"x6"
My take on the yin-yang of anxieties and selflessness during the pandemic crisis, using vintage found objects in a new context.
