Contemporary Art

Born in 1949 in Los Angeles, Jeff Tritel did not embark upon his lifelong passion - sculpting- until the age of eighteen. At the time he was enrolled in college, majoring in mathematics. His artist roommate was involved in the process of copying a masterpiece as an assignment. Jeff's argument began with Can't you do something original? As the argument heated up, the roommate finally stated, If you think it is so easy, let's see you try it! Jeff immediately went to the art store, bought a large quantity of clay and began work on a self-portrait. He was hooked, changing his major to art and graduating in 1876 from the University of California with a BA in Fine Art and BFA in sculpture.

Over the years, Tritel has challenged himself with most mediums. He has sculpted in wax as a first step to the lost wax method of bronze casting and he has fabricated monumental mixed media pieces incorporating the contrasts of furs and fiberglass, bronze screening and pearlescent lacquers. His work mainly reflects a figurative medium and he often draws from fantasy, mythology and psychology for his subject matter.

Tritel has received numerous awards as well as extensive media coverage. His painstaking precision and thought which he dedicates to each piece has earned him recognition from the California Art Review, Encyclopedia of Living Artists, and Artist's Market. His work has been featured on PBS TV and in gallery and museum shows around the country. His sculpture is collected by such prominent collectors as Justice Miriam Shearing, Robert Horton, CEO of Railmaster and Dr. William Glasser.

But winning awards has never been as important to Tritel as creating sculpture that touches his audience. I sculpt my feelings and experiences. I sculpt the human condition, he says. Even though we are all unique individuals, I find there are many threads that connect us. I find that many people are able to relate very strongly to these sculptural expressions.

Today after nearly thirty years of devotion to sculpture, Jeff and his wife and partner, Bonnie are creating the optimum work environment. On the grounds of their ten-acre estate in Grass Valley, CA they have built a 4000 square foot studio which houses Jeff's workshop and gallery. ...

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