Claire Uhar

[Jack Carden](https://www.cohart.com/u/jackcarden) is a New Zealand-based contemporary artist known for his bold embrace of anti-art and Dadaist influences. His work challenges traditional beauty, offering raw, provocative commentary that defies artistic norms. Jack’s unapologetic approach has captured the attention of collectors and curators, positioning him as a rising figure in the global art scene.

##### Can you tell us about your journey as an artist? What were some of the key moments that shaped your career and style?

Honestly, I used to hate art. I thought it was a joke. Now, even though it's my full-time job, I still find it ridiculous at times—but I've come to appreciate the beauty in it. In my last two years of high school, I ended up taking art because of a scheduling issue. My teacher dropped a book on neo-expressionism on my desk, and it hit me—I could use my messy scribbles to convey more than I ever imagined. That was the start of my style today, using art to explore concepts and ideas I couldn't quite put into words.

##### Your work often features a blend of humor, social commentary, and a distinctive visual style. How would you describe your artistic approach, and what inspires you to create?

Art can be so pretentious, and I love that I'm part of that. There's a kind of irony in the fact that I became an artist. But beyond that, my goal is to evoke emotion—humor being one of the strongest. Making people laugh or smile is powerful. My process starts with a critical reflection of the world around me, sometimes negative, sometimes not. When I see something that rubs me the wrong way, I poke fun at it, and art gives me a fun, sometimes deep, way to do that.

##### How do you see your work fitting into the contemporary art scene, and what do you hope to contribute to it?

I think my work impacts the contemporary art scene in two main ways. First, art is a great tool for communicating important ideas. My work is meant to provoke critical thinking, which I think is more important than ever with all the craziness in the world. Second, I’m proving that the traditional "starving artist" path is over. Without gallery representation or connections, my art has been seen by millions of people. I'm 22, from New Zealand, and my work is loved worldwide. That doesn’t fit into the traditional art scene—it is the art scene.

##### Can you walk us through your creative process? How do you go from an initial idea to a completed piece, and what does your studio environment look like?

Even though I have a degree in painting, I don’t think in terms of paint when I work. I get an idea, usually from some random train of thought, and then I obsess over it until it’s done. I don’t care about the mess; I just want to get the idea out. I’ll throw paint, break things, spit on the canvas if I run out of water—whatever it takes to get the end result. For example, one of my most well-known works, _High Audience Retention Painting (2023)_, required me to cut a painting in half. I had all the right tools nearby, but I used a bread knife from my desk. That’s just how I work. My studio looks like chaos because of it.

##### Your artwork often challenges conventional norms and perspectives. What do you hope people take away from experiencing your pieces?

I want people to think. My work is meant to spark contemplation, even if the emotions aren’t always positive. I’d rather someone hate my work than feel nothing at all. If someone can walk by my art and not stop, even for a second, then I’ve failed. Of course, I’d love for people to feel inspired or to see the world in a new way, but ultimately, I just don’t want them to feel indifferent.

##### Who are some of the artists, past or present, that have influenced your work, and in what ways have they impacted your artistic vision?

As cliché as it is, Basquiat had a huge influence on me early on. He opened my eyes to the power of neo-expressionism. Damien Hirst showed me the conceptual side of things, and I’ve always admired Maurizio Cattelan for his ability to poke fun at the concept of art itself.

##### What are you currently working on, and are there any upcoming projects or exhibitions that you're particularly excited about?

2025 is going to be a massive year for me. I’ve spent all of 2024 traveling, visiting galleries, museums, and meeting artists from around the world. I’ve filled countless pages with notes and sketches, and next year, I’ll be unveiling several new series of works. I’m hoping to get some pieces into major galleries, so stay tuned.

###### This article has been edited to be suitable for audiences of all ages.

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Jack shares his story; from hating art to embracing its power, blending humor and social commentary to provoke emotions and challenge norms

Paper Drop: Jack Carden's Provocative Take on Art

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