ARTIST

JEFF MUHS

Southampton | NY

 

AVAILABLE WORKS

 
 

In his paintings, Jeff Muhs exploits and explores natural physical processes such as optics, chaos, gravity, and fluid dynamics. Through manipulating these processes, Muhs creates dynamic abstract compositions using a highly gestural application of medium where often multiple paintings occupy the same canvas plane.

Jeff Muhs is a contemporary American artist known for his paintings and sculptures. His compositions often suggest natural, atmospheric, or geological processes. The artist’s practice includes expressive abstractions based on the Long Island landscape. In his unique process, Muhs uses improvised brushes to apply black oil paint over a highly prepared surface, thus creating a confident realm of gestural expression with a polished quality. The color fields that Muhs applies next, conquer the background’s randomness with the quiet presence of color. As the turbulence ceases, new subtleties emerge thus revealing the true beauty of the work. Mastering observation, chance, and intention, Muhs creates a pure abstract landscape, one that captures the infinite abstract possibilities of the interaction of matter in a natural setting.  

 

ARTIST STATEMENT

“In abstract painting, I am presented with an immeasurable world of possibilities. In my endeavor to explore that realm, color and form reveal themselves, explained by the nature of creation itself.

As I navigate and respond to the information received or imagined, the paintings become a physical record of my explorations. Manifestations of my encounters with the infinite.”

- Jeff Muhs

BIOGRAPHY

Born on June 24, 1966, in Southampton, NY, his father was a sculptor who taught Muhs wood carving at a young age. This was the spark that ignited Muhs’ artistic journey. He attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City and received his BFA in 1988.

Muhs is largely known for his work as a painter and has exhibited in galleries, collections, and museums nationwide. Continually inspired by the light, water, and horizon that surround him, his painting has undergone an evolution from its beginnings of literal depictions of his environment to a journey of synthesis and simplification, roughly paralleling the history of 20th-century art. The inspiration remains consistent, but the works are reduced to the point of abstraction with a modernist touch.

Muhs explains, “My father was also a hunting and fishing guide, so I was always out on the water with him— sunrise, sunset, my whole life. So this natural area became the inspiration for me artistically.” Thus, the barrier beach of Long Island’s south shore would later become the heart of the inspiration for Jeff’s work.

Jeff Muhs’ work can be found in several public collections, namely Cantor Fitzgerald, Time Warner, Inc., Caesars Palace (Las Vegas, NV), Los Angeles County Museum (Los Angeles, CA), Hunter Museum (Memphis, TN), and Ward Museum (Salisbury, MD). His studio is located in Southampton, New York.

 

BORN

  • Southampton, NY —1966

EDUCATION

             BFA - School of Visual Arts - New York, NY

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

  • The Uncanny Valley - Guild Hall Museum - East Hampton, NY —2020

  • The Physical Record of Everything - Christopher Martin Gallery - Dallas, TX —2020

  • Supernature - Lyons Wier Gallery - New York, NY —2016

  • Jeff Muhs Painting and Sculpture -  Monika Olko Gallery, Sag Harbor, NY —2016

  • Eight Strikes of a Wildcat - The McLoughlin Gallery,  San Francisco, CA —2015

  • Slipstream - Lyons Wier Gallery - New York, NY —2014

  • The Origin of Nymphs - Lyons Wier Gallery - New York, NY —2013

  • The Red Rules of Tooth and Claw - Cheryl Hazan Gallery - New York, NY —2013

  • Another History - McNeill Art Group - Bridgehampton, NY —2012

  • The New Modern - Melissa Morgan Fine Art - Palm Desert, CA —2012

  • The Color of Desire - RVS Fine Art - Southampton, NY —2011

  • Outliers - Cheryl Hazan Gallery - New York, NY —2011

  • Tales of Wild Orchids - RVS Fine Art - Southampton, NY —2010

  • The Splendid Alliance - RVS Fine Art - Southampton, NY —2009

  • Form and Formlessness - Anelle Gandelman Fine Art - Larchmont, NY —2009

  • New Paintings and Sculpture - RVS Fine Art - Southampton, NY —2008

  • Jeff Muhs - Cheryl Hazan Gallery - New York, NY —2008

  • Jeff Muhs: New Work - MMFA - Palm Desert, CA —2008

  • Jeff Muhs: Painter - RVS Fine Art - Southampton, NY —2007

  • Pelagic Variations - 212 Gallery - Aspen, CO —2007

  • Recent Landscapes - Lisa Kurts Gallery - Memphis, TN —2006

  • Uncommon Ground - RVS Fine Art - Southampton, NY —2005

  • Recent Paintings - Lisa Kurts Gallery - Memphis, TN —2004

  • One Who Has Conquered the Sky - RVS Fine Art - Southampton, NY —2004

  • New Paintings - David Floria Gallery - Aspen, CO —2004

  • The Exquisite Thing - RVS Fine Art - Southampton, NY —2003

  • Rare Earth - Lisa Kurts Gallery - Memphis, TN —2003

  • Select Works - RVS Fine Art - Southampton, NY —2003

  • Light Architecture - Lizan Tops Gallery - Easthampton, NY —2002

  • Recent Paintings - Takohl Design Gallery - Chicago, IL —2002

  • Beyond This Horizon - Lisa Kurts Gallery - Memphis, TN —2001

  • Jeff Muhs, New Works - Takohl Design Gallery - Chicago, IL —2001

  • Jeff Muhs - Galerie 224 - Laguna Beach, CA —2001

  • Ghost Ships - RVS Fine Art - Southampton, NY —2001

  • When Waters Fall - Bruce R. Lewin Gallery - New York, NY —2001

  • Abstract Landscapes - Lisa Kurts Gallery - Memphis, TN —2000

  • No Blade of Grass - RVS Fine Art - Southampton, NY —1999

  • Sculpture - RVS Fine Art - Southampton, NY —1999

  • Terra Allegoria - RVS Fine Art - Southampton, NY —1997

  • The Shinnecock Series - RVS Fine Art - Southampton, NY —1995

  • Early Retrospective - Rene Dahl Gallery - East Quogue, NY —1993

  

GROUP EXHIBITIONS​

  • The Barn - MProjects - Watermill, NY —2019

  • Takeover - Southampton Arts Center - Southampton, NY —2019

  • Art Market Summer Group - Roman Fine Art - Easthampton, NY —2018

  • Long Island Biennial - The Heckscher Museum of Art - Huntington, NY —2016

  • Gold Show - Brintz Galleries - Palm Beach, FL —2016

  • Forethought - Lyons Wier Gallery - New York, NY —2016

  • America on Fire - White Room Gallery - Bridgehampton, NY —2016

  • Unlimited Potential - Lyons Wier Gallery - New York, NY —2015

  • East End Collected - Southampton Arts Center - Southampton, NY —2015

  • Shaq Loves People - curated by Shaquille O’Neal, Flag Foundation, Chicago Expo - Chicago, IL —2014

  • Horizons - Cheryl Hazan Gallery - New York, NY —2014

  • Seeking Engagement NSA - Lyons Wier Gallery - New York, NY —2014

  • Rouge - Cheryl Hazan Gallery - New York, NY —2013

  • The Inaugural Opening - KM Fine Art - Los Angeles, CA —2013

  • Body Politic - The National Arts Club - New York, NY —2013

  • Young Masters - Sphinx Fine Art - London, England —2012

  • Mad About Art and Design - McNeill Art Group Tribeca Project Space - New York, NY —2012

  • Chromesthesia - McNeill Art Group Tribeca Project Space - New York, NY —2011

  • The Garden - McNeill Art Group Tribeca Project Space - New York, NY —2010

  • You Are New York - Cheryl Hazan Gallery - New York, NY —2010

  • Plastic, Rubber + Wood - McNeill Art Group Tribeca Project Space - New York, NY —2009

  • The Red Show - Cheryl Hazan Gallery - New York, NY —2008, 2009

  • New York Art & Design Fair - McNeill Art Group - New York, NY —2008

  • Nature Remains - Anelle Gandelman Fine Art - Larchmont, NY —2007

  • Triptych - 212 Gallery - Aspen, CO —2006

  • Scope Hamptons - McNeill Art Group - Wainscott, NY —2006

  • Eye Candy - RVS Fine Art - Southampton, NY —2006

  • Winter Break - RVS Fine Art - Southampton, NY —2006

  • The Woods - DFN Gallery - New York, NY —2005

  • Scope London - McNeill Art Group - London, UK —2005

  • Spring Blues - Art Gotham - New York, NY —2005

  • New Paintings - Elizabeth Edwards Fine Art - Palm Desert, CA —2005

  • Carol Henderson Gallery - Fort Worth, TX —2005

  • Lisa Kurts Gallery - Memphis, TN —2005

  • Triptych’ RVS Fine Art - Southampton, NY —2005

  • Holiday Group Show - Lisa Kurts Gallery - Memphis, TN —2004

  • Featured Artist - Carol Henderson Gallery - Fort Worth, TX —2004

  • Beautiful, Male, Objects - Sara Nightingale Gallery - Watermill, NY —2004

  • Skies & Scapes - DFN Gallery - New York, NY —2004

  • Select Works - RVS Fine Art - Southampton, NY —2004

  • 38th Juried Exhibition - Parrish Art Museum - Southampton, NY —2003

  • Fear of Flying - Sara Nightingale Gallery - Watermill, NY —2003

  • Black + White - Lizan Tops Gallery - East Hampton, NY —2003

  • DNFA Gallery - Pasadena, CA —2002

  • R-2 Gallery - New York, NY —2002

  • Lizan Tops Gallery - East Hampton, NY —2002

  • Lisa Kurts Gallery - Memphis TN —2002

  • Dixon Museum - Memphis TN — 2002

  • Lizan Tops Gallery - Easthampton, NY —2000

  • Summer Group Exhibition - Lisa Kurts Gallery - Memphis, TN —2000

  • Margo Jacobsen Gallery - Portland, OR —2000

  • Galerie 224 - Laguna Beach, CA —2000

  • Bruce R. Lewin Gallery - New York, NY —2000

  • Hunter Museum of Art - Chattanooga, TN —2000

  • Neptune - Nabi Gallery - Sag Harbor, NY —2000

  • Eclectic Landscapes - RVS Fine Art - Southampton, NY —1995

  • On the Horizon - Rene Dahl Gallery - East Quogue, NY —1993

  • East End Landscapes - Water Mill Museum - Water Mill, NY —1992

  • Summer Solstice - Ashawagh Hall - East Hampton, NY —1992

  • The Wings of Expressionism - Reverie Gallery - East Quogue, NY —1991

  • Landscapes - Gallery East - East Hampton, NY —1990

  • School of Visual Arts, Juried Exhibit - Art Director’s Club - New York, NY —1988

 

SCULPTURE

  • Ward World Champion Sculpture Competition - 2nd in World —1997

  • Ward World Champion Sculpture Competition - 1st in World —1996

  • Ward World Champion Sculpture Competition - 1st in World —1995

  • Ward World Champion Sculpture Competition - 3rd in World —1994

     

COLLECTIONS

  • Sun Hung Kai Properties - Hong Kong

  • Norwegian Cruise Line

  • Guild Hall Museum - East Hampton, NY

  • Caesars Palace - Las Vegas NV

  • Time Warner, Inc. - New York, NY

  • Los Angeles County Museum - Los Angeles, CA

  • Hunter Museum - Memphis, TN

  • Federal Savings and Loan Bank - Memphis, TN

  • Hillendale - Greenwich, CT

  • Ward Museum - Salisbury, MD