The Bite Magazine Issue 17

A rt is subjective. ‘ Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’. ‘You can’t label something art until someone says it is art’. Who are these people? Who are these all-knowing labe- lers responsible for filling museums, galleries and blank walls and empty spaces alike? I’m honestly not sure who makes the ultimate call in the end, as there are some pieces I’ve seen exhibited around the world that, well they war- ranted more the reaction like that of one you’d give a friend’s child who did a finger painting. You give a pained smile and nod of “Aaw, so good!” To them, it’s a masterpiece from the likes of Picasso; to you, well, it’s just blobby finger paint. However, my lack of true fine-art expertise aside, I do humbly like to think I know when something is worth stopping and staring at in awe. To be taken by a piece that it’s simple to tell the difference between ordinary and extraordinary. And artist Justin Zielke’s works just so happens to be that arresting. I learned about Zielke’s work during my recent visit to Savannah, Georgia’s Sylvester & Co. Modern General. The store’s retail manager, Shawn Sokolow, shared that they were planning a showing for this newly acquired artist, whose work was quite moving and bold. Hailing from Wichita, Kansas, but currently residing in Savan- nah, Zielke earned his degrees at two reputable art schools, a BFA Visual Communication Focus in Illustration and Animation from the Univer- sity of Kansas, and his MFA Animation from the nearby Savannah College of Art and Design. As such, Zielke didn’t have far to go for the exhi- bition. After conducting some research when I returned to New York, I fell in love with this tal- ented artist’s figure drawings and paintings and knew I had to learn everything possible about this rising star in the art world. Zielke had long-known he’d be an artist, “I cannot remember if I ever decided to become an artist but believe I am in this profession for the same reason most are; to create and explore what no one has seen. Understanding and study- ing history, sociological trends, connections with people, and where we fit within this scheme is quintessential to any artist expressing or passing along knowledge to others.” As such, he uses a variety of several areas of media and materials to create his works that help him to transcribe Dawn Hunt discovers the work of Georgia-based artist Justin M. Zielke who explores different influences to create his artistic works. bite artist profile