JEFF OVERLIE

My work is inspired by the exquisite forms that exist in science and nature, at levels often invisible to the human eye. More than 20 years ago, I created pieces based on pollen slides prepared by my grandfather, botanist Dr. Wendell Bragonier. Today I collect digital images taken by powerful electron microscopes. In them, I find forms and archetypal shapes that I can interpret in sculpture. After dimensional conceptualization, I create engineered studies that are beautiful in their own right and allow me to qualify the works for large-scale 2D and 3D forms. I then use my years of experience in production and art fabrication to paint or sculpt in stainless steel, aluminum, or carbon steel into the final realization. I am able to create works of art that appeal to a wide audience and invite interaction as fun and fascinating objects first, and as symbols of the beauty and wonder of science and nature second. My art work is sensitive to sustainability and conservation issues in that they contain 70-80 percent recycled materials.

My work has been shown at Riva Yares Galleries in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Scottsdale, Arizona as well as at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Laguna Beach, California and the Contemporary Arts Forum in Santa Barbara, California. I have had my work featured in ARTnews, Western Interiors, Sunset Magazine, The Santa Fean, Santa Barbara Magazine, Trend, and the Albuquerque Journal, Santa Barbara News Press, and Ventura County Star Free Press.

I received a National Endowment for the Arts WESTAF and have done fellowships with Beverly Pepper and Takio Ogai at The Carving Studio in Vermont. I live in Santa Fe, and am an Adjunct Professor at Santa Fe Community College's School of Arts, Design & Media Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Jeff Overlie, a multidisciplinary artist, delved into a captivating photographic series in 2010 using his Blackberry phone. Uncovering an unexpected glitch in the lens system that radically altered the image, “the Horizon photographs were nothing like anything I had ever seen and I knew I had an opportunity and that I had to capitalize on the compromised lens,” said Overlie. He turned landscapes and horizons into visual marvels during an intense 11-day period, marked by minimal sleep. The resulting images, including glimpses into his studio and daily artistic practice, held an inherent value that he sensed but wasn't certain how to process at the time. Over the course of nearly 14 years, he meticulously developed these pieces until technology advanced enough to allow large-scale printing, ensuring the preservation of their distinctive essence and originality.
At the heart of my artistic process lies rectilinear geometry—an intricate world of straight lines, shapes, and spatial relationships. With meticulous precision, I employ geometric forms such as squares and rectangles to construct a visual vocabulary that engages the viewer in a dialogue between order and chaos. Through the careful manipulation of these fundamental elements, I unveil the inherent beauty that emerges from the interplay of line, shape, and space.
As viewers engage with my artwork, they are invited to immerse themselves in a multisensory experience. The interplay of mathematics and art intertwines, transcending the boundaries of each discipline. Through my unique artistic approach, I strive to evoke a sense of wonder and contemplation, sparking conversations about the profound connection between mathematics, visual perception, and the power of artistic expression.
2023
Intersect Aspen, Marc Straus Gallery, Aspen Colorado
2020
The Art Show at The Park Avenue Armory, Art Basel, Miami, FL
2018
Art Silicon Valley, Contemporary Artifact Gallery, San Francisco CA
Palm Springs Fine Art Fair, Contemporary Artifact Gallery, Palm Springs CA
2017
Palm Springs Fine Art Fair, Yares Arts Gallery Artists, Yares Art Projects, Palm Springs, CA
2016
Palm Springs Fine Art Fair, Yares Art Gallery, Palm Spring CA
Gallery Artists, Yares Art Santa Fe NM
2015
Art Silicon Valley, Yares Art Projects Art, San Francisco, CA
Aspen, Yares Art, Aspen, CO
Gallery Artists, Yares Art, Santa Fe NM
2014
Art Silicon Valley, San Francisco, CA
Yares Art Projects/Riva Yares Gallery, “50 Years 50 Artists” Santa Fe, NM
Palm Springs Fine Art Fair, Palm Springs, CA
2013
Palm Springs Fine Art Fair
Gallery Artists, Riva Yares Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2012
Palm Springs Fine Art Fair
2011
* “Maximum Minimalism” Riva Yares Gallery Santa Fe, NM
2010
“Modern Masters”, Riva Yares Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
The Amory New York City, NY
2009
* “Cellulae” Riva Yares Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
* “Cellulae” Riva Yares Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
2018
“Five Ranges” Homewise at Camino Crossing Development, Santa Fe, NM
2017
Prull and Associates, Santa Fe NM
2016
“Flower of Life” Archaeo architecture, Santa Fe, NM
2013
Santa Fe University of Arts and Design, Santa Fe, NM
2011
Lannon Foundation, Santa Fe, NM
2005
Plaza Entrada Corp., Santa Fe, NM
Hvl Interiors, Santa Fe, NM
Tierra Concepts Architecture, Santa Fe, NM
French and French Inc., Santa Fe, NM
Chord Architecture, Santa Fe, NM
2004
Gross/Kelly Warehouse, Barker Real Estate, Santa Fe, NM
Moore Law Firm. Dallas, TX
Dolce Salinas, Santa Fe, NM
The Hogan Group inc., Santa Fe, NM
Putnam Pritchard Interiors Ltd., Santa Fe, NM
Lloyd and Associates, Santa Fe, NM
Chord Architecture, Santa Fe, NM
2003
i.e., Designs, Santa Fe, NM
Gross/Kelly Warehouse, Barker Real Estate, Santa Fe, NM
The Hogan Group Inc., Santa Fe, NM
Hurlocker Investment Inc., Santa Fe, NM
Putnam Pritchard Interiors Ltd., Santa Fe, NM
Chord Architecture, Santa Fe, NM
Earth and Water Inc., Santa Fe, NM
2002
Site Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM
Museum of New Mexico
Foundation, Santa Fe, NM
Museum H ill Café, Santa Fe, NM
Michael Bauer
Architect, Santa Fe, NM
Praxis Architects, Santa Fe, NM
Putnam Pritchard Interiors Ltd, Santa Fe, NM
Chord Architecture, Santa Fe, NM
Earth and Water Inc., Santa Fe, NM
2001
Villa Hermosa Community Center, Santa Fe, NM
San Ysidro Catholic Church, Santa Fe, NM
Praxis Architects, Santa Fe, NM
Chord Architecture, Santa Fe, NM
Putnam Pritchard Interiors Ltd, Santa Fe, NM
Earth and Water Inc., Santa Fe, NM
Chord Architecture, Santa Fe, NM
2016
“Manifesting the Divine”, Trend Magazine
2011
“Maximum Minimalism”, Albuquerque Journal
2010
“Modern Masters”, Art news
“Stilled grace”, Santa Fe Magazine
2002
Albuquerque journal
Santa Fe new Mexican
2001
Real Estate Now
1996
Paralaxix, Westaf Publications
1995
Santa Barbara News Press
1993
Ventura County Star Free Press
1992
Metro
1991
Santa Barbara Magazine
Estates International
1990
Santa Barbara News Press
Santa Barbara Independent
The Nexus
1989
Scene Magazine