Pay Attention

Pay Attention

2012
Artist
Ben Jackel, American, 1977
Born: Aurora, CO
Work Locations: Los Angeles, CA
Country
United States
Object
sculpture
Medium
Pine wood and graphite
Accession Number
2015.656A-F
Credit Line
Gift from Vicki and Kent Logan to the Collection of the Denver Art Museum
(c) Ben Jackel
Courtesy L.A. Louver, Venice, CA
Dimensions
height: 162 in, 411.4800 cm; width: 64 in, 162.5600 cm; depth: 11 in, 27.9400 cm
Department
Modern and Contemporary Art
Collection
Modern and Contemporary Art

In “Pay Attention” Jackel continues to speak about his interest in warfare—an obsession piqued by the Iraq War—and weaponry of all periods. He is also intrigued by banal equipment used to battle fire, such as hydrants, extinguishers, and hoses, evidenced by the hyper-realistic ceramic versions of these and other similar objects that he has created. Jackel’s works demonstrate his fascination with the human fears of natural destruction and the simultaneous urge to destroy. 

Jackel carved the monumental version of the medieval weapon from pine wood and gave it a dark, matte luster with powdered graphite. Jackel insists on using “pure” materials, such as wood, clay, and beeswax, which he works by hand or with basic hand tools. 

Jackel was born and raised in Aurora, CO. He studied ceramics at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and earned an MFA at University of California, Los Angeles, 

Known Provenance
Purchased from L.A. Louver Gallery by Vicki and Kent Logan, 2014; gifted to Denver Art Museum 2015
Exhibition History
  • "Ben Jackel: Zero Percent Contained"—L. A. Louver Gallery, Venice CA [05/24/2012 - 06/30/2012]
  • "Showing Off: Recent Modern & Contemporary Acquisitions"—Denver Art Museum [05/17/2015 - 01/03/2016]
  • “Age of Armor” — Denver Art Museum, 5/15/2022 – 9/5/2022

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