With the relaxed air of a cool rock star who has adapted to the beach life of Ventura, Jim Webb steps back, gazing at his creation with a Mona Lisa smile. “State of the Union” is a satirical piece exploring the government’s actions through photographs, fabrics and paints in a splash of mixed media that catches the eye.
“Living in Ventura gave me the ability to look at politics,” said Webb. “Back in L.A., I was so involved in the gallery it was hard to notice what else was going on.”
Webb moved from the City of Angels to Ventura in 2005. Through the years he has worked with many artists, including Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg and Frank Stella, all who have influenced his work. The Oxnard College McNish gallery is featuring his work in the exhibition, “Jim Webb: It’s About Time.”
Students, staff and community members alike gathered at the gallery Oct. 7 for the opening of the exhibition, as well as for a lecture from Webb about his art and history. Most of Webb’s featured pieces were composed while reflecting on his life and the paths he took. After his move to Ventura, he felt much lighter.
“It influenced my passion. I was regenerated,” said Webb, who’s lived in LA all his life. “I feel a lot more freedom here. Makes me feel very good, very up.”
Webb studied at California State University, Long Beach until 1966, when he joined Gemini G.E.L., an artists’ workshop and printer of limited edition artwork and sculptures, as a master printer. There, he collaborated with many famous artists including Josef Albers, who taught Webb color theory. At Gemini G.E.L., Webb also started to experiment with different media including neon.
From 1980 to 1990, Webb worked for L.A. Packing installing art. Here, he began his exploration in rice paper drawings. In 1990, Webb joined the Lannan Foundation as a chief repairer. There, he set up galleries and took care of the art collection.
Webb joined the Gagosian Gallery in Beverly Hills in 1998, which provided the inspiration for his piece “Last Luncheon,” a work featured at the McNish Gallery. Webb said that his time at the Gagosian Gallery was a different experience.
“It brought me knowledge and the freedom to do the work I do now,” said Webb.
Webb soon moved from LA to Ventura, in search of more artistic freedom.
Webb’s artistic development is prevalent throughout “It’s About Time.” Webb featured some of his older work on rice paper, as well as his large mixed media pieces.
Christine Morla, an Oxnard College art professor and curator of the McNish Gallery, enjoys Webb’s older work.
“My favorite would be the ‘Blood and Guts’ series and his earlier work,” said Morla. “I like (the provocativeness) he has in his political and religious work.”
However, Webb’s colorful mixed media pieces, comparable to large-scale collages, steal the show.
“His work expresses a lot of pent up rage and emotion,” said 24-year-old Beth Anne Salisbury, a nursing major. “He expresses it more than clear with what he’s talking about. He’s not afraid to think outside confined boxes.”
Through his years working with and around art, Webb had sage advice for budding artists.
“Have goals. More importantly, keep your passion,” said Webb. “Keep the joy of making art.”
“Jim Webb: It’s About Time” opened at the Oxnard College McNish Gallery on Oct. 7 and will remain open until Nov. 3. For more information, contact Christine Morla at (805) 986-5800, ext. 1929, or email [email protected].
Webb will be speaking more about his evolution as an artist on Nov. 3 at the Technology Development Center, in connection with Focus on the Masters. For more information, visit www.focusonthemasters.com.
