Jeff Overlie

Jeff Overlie’s (b. 1968) artistic process is inspired by science and revolves around geometry and mathematics. Influenced by his grandfather who was a scientist, Overlie studied marine biology before turning towards the arts. Through the language of geometry and with meticulous precision and technical proficiency, he explores the intricate world of straight lines, shapes, spatial relationships, and Joseph Albers’ color theory. By employing precise forms such as squares, rectangles, and spheres, at times or creating canvases with color overlays, he constructs a visual vocabulary that unveils the inherent beauty that emerges from the interplay of line, shape, and space.

His Cellulae series is inspired by cellular organisms and single cells. He uses a microscope to view the cells that he then sketches by hand and refines through a series of drawings. The resulting shapes are then translated into objects made by aluminum and paintings made by acrylic on canvas. Each painting directly correlates to one of the sculptures. There is a topographical outline of the sculpture, inspired by Elizabethan profile portraits that were cut out of black paper, and an abstract close-up. Each sculpture is hand carved by Overlie from an aluminum block – a process that requires great focus and precision to achieve such flawless curvilinear forms.

Overlie’s work has been shown internationally at galleries and museums such as the Riva Yares Gallery, in Santa Fe, NM; the Museum of Contemporary Art in Laguna Beach, California; and the Contemporary Arts Forum in Santa Barbara, California. His work has been featured in publications such as ARTnews, Western Interiors, Sunset Magazine, The Santa Fean, Santa Barbara Magazine, Trend, and the Albuquerque Journal, and Santa Barbara News Press among others. He received a National Endowment for the Arts grant in 1995 and completed fellowships with Beverly Pepper and Japanese master carver Takio Ogai at The Carving Studio in Vermont. He is an Adjunct Professor at Santa Fe Community College’s School of Arts, Design & Media Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico since 2008. He lives and works in Santa Fe, New Mexico.