"Adrift In A..." by Jay Kelly presents a striking portrait of a woman rendered entirely in meticulously arranged paper fragments against a deep black background. From a distance, the image appears almost photographic-a sophisticated female figure with her hand gracefully touching a strand of pearls at her neck. Upon closer inspection, the portrait reveals itself as an intricate collage composed of thousands of tiny pieces of text and images, creating a luminous, textured quality to her skin and attire. The dramatic contrast between the light figure and dark background, combined with the elegant composition showing just a partial view of the subject, evokes a sense of timeless sophistication and mystery.

About Adrift In A... by Jay Kelly

Created in 2023, this large-scale collage and matte varnish on panel measures an impressive 54" × 54" × 2", showcasing Kelly's remarkable technique of "painting with paper." As a self-taught artist, Kelly developed this distinctive approach by repurposing secondhand books and printed materials, initially supplementing his collages with paint for shadows and highlights before evolving to work exclusively with found materials. The artwork exemplifies his signature dual-viewing experience-presenting a cohesive, photorealistic image from afar that transforms into a fascinating exploration of textual fragments and varied textures when viewed up close. This perceptual shift creates multiple layers of meaning and discovery, as the countless bits of paper, each with its own original context, merge to form something entirely new. When displayed, the piece commands attention not only for its striking visual presence but also for the contemplative experience it offers, inviting viewers to consider how disparate elements can coalesce into a unified whole while retaining their individual significance.