This month we were pleased to present the artwork of Jesse Hazelip for the first time at Miami’s Aqua Wynwood Art Fair. Coming up in January 2010 you will also find him featured in High Fructose Magazine and holding a solo exhibit at White Walls. This Oakland based artist has been showing up on walls around the nation with a message for us all, though you might not understand its full breadth. His technique and imagery raise questions, and we have answers. Jesse gave us a detailed breakdown of two images commonly used in his fine art and wheat paste works, making them all the more meaningful. Read below for the inside scoop on Hazelip’s bombers and buffaloes.

The Great Blue Heron In the words of Jesse, “The Heron are known to be solitary birds, and prefer being alone so they won’t have to share their meals. I think that Americans resemble these traits, and we are becoming less inviting as we cut ourselves off from the flock. We are literally building walls to separate us from our neighbors.”

Next, the American Bison references the heart of North America. It is a symbol of our heritage, our homeland, and what we have destroyed. Although this beautiful and amazing animal once roamed the North American grassland in massive quantity, buffaloes are almost extinct due to our carelessness. The bomber points out our failures as a nation, especially relating to war. Jesse mentioned that in WWII we almost completely destroyed ourselves with nuclear weapons, yet we continue to go to war. By not learning from our mistakes, America is driving down a road of self destruction.

Miami, FL (also covered at Bombit)

Telegraph @ Ashby in Berkeley

Telegraph @ Ashby in Berkeley

If you enjoyed this introduction be sure to view Jesse Hazlip’s work in person on January 9th, 2009 at White Walls.