Born in 1979, Jeremy Penn is a contemporary artist living and working in New York City. He received fine art degrees from both the University of Maryland & Pratt and had his first solo exhibition in 2008. Working in various mediums, Penn often combines disciplines such as painting, sculpture, and installation. An experimentalist by nature, he rebels from traditional approaches in his creative expressions, preferring to expand his use of materials through unconventional techniques. Known for his unorthodox painting process and unique use of material, it is rare to see a paintbrush in Penn’s hand despite his formal training. He works in layers, scraping or adding elements and sometimes even burning his pieces. His process is organic and intuitive and it shifts as he develops as an artist.
Penn’s art is not only an exploration of material and color but a way for him to freely express himself. His artistic practice is fluid and greatly affected by his experiences. Each piece is an extension of his inner life, reflecting the world around him. Influenced by the boundaries of street art and high art, he creates a distinct style of his own. Inspired by New York City, his work is an interpretation and expression of the urban landscape. Interested in looking beyond the glamour of it all, he reflects polarities between the self and the ego. His art intends to bring focus to the nuances in these connections, searching for the link between human interactions and the objects around them.
Penn’s art has been exhibited internationally and locally, receiving honors from curators at museums such as The Museum of Modern Art, New York and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. His work has been prized within some of the most prestigious institutions and modern art collections around the world. Outside of his fine art practice, Penn works with select brands to design and develop experiential environments. He was a founder of the art collective Good Luck Dry Cleaners and lead collaborations with Lululemon, Saks Fifth Avenue, Hugo Boss, and Issey Miyake.
Penn was an early adopter and investor in web3 and has had several successful NFT drops. He has also been consulting for web2 brands that are looking to transition into the web3 space.