Jeremy is an amazing self-taught artist. He started painting at 16, developing a dark figurative style with a distinct focus on humanity. The essence of his work is based on living models, allowing the exchange and context to dictate his approach. Each piece is seen as an encounter between two distinct “tones”.
He proceeds on impulse and instinct, yet out of his almost abstract movements surge shapes. Shapes are only the result of the feeling he wishes to express. Jeremy explores humanity, its fragility, its strength, its sensuality...
Jeremy Kleinberg has had a studio at 102 Rue Grande in Saint-Paul de Vence since 2006.
“I explore humanity, its fragility, its strength, its sensuality, its arrogance, its presence… My style reflects my perception of these different tones and comes to life when my own sensitivity meets the influences of the model. Rather than shapes, I aim to portray feeling. I mainly work with living models, allowing the exchange and context to dictate my approach. I see each piece as an encounter between two distinct tones. The shapes generated through this approach border on abstraction, yet retain the intention of producing a progressive figurative vision. My style is entirely self-taught and instinctive. Shapes are only a result”.
In a tragic yet lucid way, Jeremy Kleinberg knows that he and his models will one day cease to be. This fleeting vision of life permeates the artist's creative process. He sees the canvas as not so short-lived, freezing the moment in time, the subject and the vision captured by the artist. This explains the concerned and dark facets of some of his work.
Jeremy Kleinberg uses all sorts of materials and media: charcoal, pastel, acrylic, liquid lacquer… on canvas, cardboard, paper, glass and Plexiglas.
Mounia 81x100 cm, pigments cuivre et acrylique sur toile
Mounia 81x100 cm, pigments cuivre et acrylique sur toile Austin 21 x 29,7 cm, pastel sur papier canson
Acrylic and pigments: most of his art features acrylic paint. Jeremy Kleinberg exploits its full potential for energetic and dynamic work. The artist has been through different phases since his studio opened: a series of mainly red paintings, before moving on to metallic pigments… These days, he is mainly focused on light itself and is working on a black and white series.
Austin 21 x 29,7 cm, pastel sur papier canson
Charcoal and pastels: Jeremy is particularly fond of charcoal as it allows for a quick and progressive approach. He namely used it for his first portraits and nudes. Although pastels are generally used for their soft nuanced effect, in the work of Jeremy Kleinberg pastel lines are abrupt with merely a touch of softness.
Self portrait
Ball-point pen: Jeremy Kleinberg started drawing portraits with a ball point pen when out visiting friends. Though subjects abounded, it was a strenuous exercise which required absolute concentration. Lines were quick and permanent. His approach remained instinctive and free from outlines. The difficulty resided in drawing freely without being able to erase anything and remaining focused on how the final picture was taking shape. Rather than artistic aptitude, it is a state of creativity which allows one to take this approach. To the eye of the inexperienced, the result may seem completely incoherent.
