History Repeats

Travis Ivey (b. 1978) is an American artist based in Mesa, Arizona. A self-admitted polymath, Ivey creates work in a wide variety of styles and mediums. He’s been painting representationally for over twenty years, while also maintaining a strong studio practice in abstract and non-objective…Travis Ivey (b. 1978) is an American artist based in Mesa, Arizona. A self-admitted polymath, Ivey creates work in a wide variety of styles and mediums. He’s been painting representationally for over twenty years, while also maintaining a strong studio practice in abstract and non-objective paintings and collage. Originally from Laramie, Wyoming, his representational paintings often depict the impact of extractive industry on the landscape. “My reality growing up in Wyoming wasn’t all cowboys and bugling elk. I saw energy corridors, coal trains, and drilling-rigs against a backdrop of wild pastoral beauty. For me, it was more authentic and interesting to include those realities rather than pretend they didn’t exist.” Alternately, Ivey's collage-based works often navigate the space between abstraction and representation, marked by sharp edges and boldly contrasting colors. Often described as exhibiting “outsider” sensibilities and an unapologetically “crafty” aesthetic, Ivey’s maximalist approach playfully engages the legacy of abstract expressionism through intricate mosaics constructed from both conventional materials and found objects. His work is included in numerous public and private collections, including the Graduate College of ASU, State Farm, MUFG, and the Wyoming State Museum. He has also been interviewed by Phoenix Magazine, Southwest Art Magazine and numerous local publications including Phoenix New Times and Java.

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