Triumph over oppression, individual freedom, mysticism and magic, introspection, and uniqueness in the universe inspire the surreal, playful, and sometimes foreboding works of the artist GNESHA.

Shane Rogers is the artist known as GNESHA. As a mixed media collage artist, scientist and professor of environmental engineering, social activist, and professional musician, his artistic journey is one that intertwines these seemingly disparate roles and grows from their many distinct perspectives, experiences, setbacks and successes. An important element in his art practice that carries over from his role as a scientist is provision of time for experimentation and development of new ideas and techniques, use of new and interesting media, and reflection, practice, revision and refinement of his artwork and ideas.

His exploration of media range from the chemistry and staining techniques of his scientific laboratory experience to the basic elements of earth, wind, water, and fire which are sometimes the last resort and sometimes the first. He creates and collaborates with fellow artists sharing techniques, perspectives, and criticism of the works created. Much of his works are an outward expression and release of complex emotions that often cannot be expressed precisely with words. Overcoming powerful challenges in his own life through immersion in art, he gained interest in sharing his creative work publicly. He believes in the power of art to transform thought, inspire action, and manifest a greater consciousness and connection like it did for him while practicing in private.

The works of the artist GNESHA have a unique and recognizable creative vision. Recognizable and enduring conceptual elements include expressions complex thoughts and ideas that contemplate themes of introspection, solitude, inner fear, outer courage, triumph, freedom, and the very personal experiences of magic in everyday life. His surreal and playful works portray intersections between fantasy and modern culture, science and mysticism, expression and introspection, and free thought, often with a dark, foreboding element. Much of his work reflects Japanese and American culture and mythology. Formal elements comprising his physical and mixed media digital artworks include hand drawing and painting, staining, interesting, odd, and ancient papers, wood, advertisements and elements from old magazines, vintage photographs, interesting vegetation, feathers, insects, and other found artifacts or original photographs taken by the artist of the same.

GNESHA finds inspiration in the curious and the small like odd pictures in vintage magazines and strange artifacts in antique shops, cultural and personal stories of mysticism and mythology, and the intersections between traditional culture and emergent technology. He finds special inspiration in individuals that rise to overcome great challenges and those that are unafraid to express their uniqueness in the universe. His artistic influences sway towards the fantastic illustrations and dreamlike surrealism of classic and contemporary artists such as Heironymus Bosch, Max Ernst, Rene Magritte, and Salvador Dali as well as Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock prints and paintings by artists such as Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Suzuki Harunobu, Tsukioka Yoshitoshi and Katsushika Hokusai. He is fascinated by the colorful cartoon illustrations of Japanese artist Rokuro Taniuchi (1921-81) and finds delight in honoring his work by reimagining them using found photographs and papers in mixed media and digital collage.

Shane Rogers is a mixed-media and collage artist, professional singer/songwriter and musician, and classic dancer by education and training. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1972, and currently resides between Germany and New York, USA. Shane holds a PhD in environmental engineering and is a professor of environmental engineering and science in New York. He is internationally recognized for his achievements in environmental and social justice and public health. His work has brought agency to low-income people in the southern U.S. long-suffering from environmental pollution as described in the book “Wastelands: The Story of Farm Country on Trial” by international best-selling author Corban Addison. He has also appeared internationally for his work linking exposure to toxic molds to people’s experiences of hauntings, which has been highly publicized and fictionalized in online, print, radio, film, and television media since first released in 2015.

As a practicing artist, Shane has chosen to use the anagram of his name: “Grorse Nesha”; therefore, he is the artist known as GNESHA. In the religion of Hinduism, Ganesha is the remover of obstacles, bringer of good fortune, patron of the arts and sciences, and deva of intellect and wisdom. His artwork and photography have appeared on the cover of the Soil Science Society of America Journal, three indie rock albums by the band “Bee Children”, and in Photo Trouveé Magazine and Contemporary Collage Magazine, among other outlets.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artist.gnesha/

Aug 16 Shane Rogers

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