I create animal sculptures to explore the multiplicity of human behavior. Media stories and observing social interactions fuel my creative impulses to create work influenced by contemporary issues.
Artist Statement
I create animal sculptures to explore the multiplicity of human behavior. Media stories and observing social interactions fuel my creative impulses to create work influenced by contemporary issues. The highly finished artworks feature dramatic, glossy human eyes to clue viewers into my ideation’s introspective nature. My research explores psychology, literature, film, and monster theory, revealing how we develop socially.
I am interested in the complexity of human behavior driven by primal, instinctual reactions and culturally learned responses. Through translating human experience into the form of an animal, we look at ourselves from another viewpoint – focused on our untamed, dangerous selves. The animal’s natural behavior holds a direct relationship to the conceptual framework illuminating human impulses and desires.
My sculptures embody a symbolic language to explore social development, inner confrontation, vulnerability, violence, and escapism. In observing the extremes of human behavior from our celebratory moments to disastrous events both the dark and light of humanity are present. In understanding our polarities, we establish a new sense of awareness toward healing our “collective shadow.”
Artist Bio
Jessica Teckemeyer creates mixed-media animal sculptures to explore the multiplicity in human nature. She maintains an active studio practice and is the Sculpture Professor at Oklahoma State University. Teckemeyer’s sculptures have been featured in eleven solo exhibitions and shown in more than fifty-five group exhibits. She has received numerous accolades including “Best in 3D” from the “Art of the Heartland” exhibit at the Indianapolis Art Center, an award at the “Select” exhibition at the Sioux City Art Center in Iowa, “Best in Show” for the “Social & Politically Engaged Art” at the Reece Museum in Tennessee, and “Second Prize” at the “Tallahassee International” hosted at the Florida State University Museum of Fine Arts. Additionally, Teckemeyer has been awarded $10,000 from Oklahoma State University to expand her “Impact” series. Her works are in many private collections and the Dubuque Museum of Art.
Teckemeyer fabricated sculptures for internationally known artist Siah Armajani from 2009 until 2013. She received her Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities in May 2010. Prior to graduate school, Teckemeyer worked in the sculpting, mold making, and painting departments at “Tivoli Too,” a 3D design and production studio located near Minneapolis, MN. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2004.
We Will Rise
Entangled
Impact (I - III)
Impact (III)
Devour
We Will Rise
Fox or Foe
Impact (I)
Des Moines Art Center - Solo Exhibition (Devour and Human Shadow)
Devour
Entangled
Fox or Foe
Impact (II)
Human Shadow
