The disturbing world of artist Joseph Yaeger, on display in his latest exhibition 'Polygrapher' at the prestigious Modern Art gallery in London. Honest and introspective, Yaeger's paintings are both confessions and accusations, a reflection of his own psyche and the complexities of human nature.
The 39-year-old artist, who grew up in Helena, Montana, with a devoutly Catholic upbringing, has always been driven by a strong work ethic and attention to detail. His production is meticulous, with each painting taking months or even years to complete. This painstaking process allows Yaeger to delve into his own subconscious, resulting in works that are both hauntingly familiar and disturbingly alien.
The people depicted in Yaeger's paintings are often taken from film stills, but it is the artist's unique touch that transforms these fragments into something new and unsettling. The inclusion of detritus such as pistachio shells, dust, or biscuit wrappers adds a sense of raw humanity to the works, drawing the viewer into an intimate world.
At the heart of 'Polygrapher' lies Yaeger's use of polygraph testing as a metaphor for truth-telling and self-discovery. The artist has written a text accompanying the exhibition, which is a transcript of his own polygraph test, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. This introspective approach allows the viewer to peer into Yaeger's psyche, to experience the turmoil and uncertainty that underpins his art.
Yaeger's Catholic upbringing continues to influence his work, with overtly Catholic themes present in many of the paintings. The artist's penitential streak is evident in his willingness to engage with the challenges of working with a difficult medium like watercolour on gesso. The resulting works are thick and textured, with layers of paint and gesso visible beneath the surface, telling a story of their own.
As we gaze upon Yaeger's paintings, we are forced to confront our own complexities, to make sense of the darkness that lurks within us all. 'Polygrapher' is an exhibition that challenges, disturbs, and ultimately rewards, inviting us to enter the troubled world of this fascinating and enigmatic artist.
The 39-year-old artist, who grew up in Helena, Montana, with a devoutly Catholic upbringing, has always been driven by a strong work ethic and attention to detail. His production is meticulous, with each painting taking months or even years to complete. This painstaking process allows Yaeger to delve into his own subconscious, resulting in works that are both hauntingly familiar and disturbingly alien.
The people depicted in Yaeger's paintings are often taken from film stills, but it is the artist's unique touch that transforms these fragments into something new and unsettling. The inclusion of detritus such as pistachio shells, dust, or biscuit wrappers adds a sense of raw humanity to the works, drawing the viewer into an intimate world.
At the heart of 'Polygrapher' lies Yaeger's use of polygraph testing as a metaphor for truth-telling and self-discovery. The artist has written a text accompanying the exhibition, which is a transcript of his own polygraph test, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. This introspective approach allows the viewer to peer into Yaeger's psyche, to experience the turmoil and uncertainty that underpins his art.
Yaeger's Catholic upbringing continues to influence his work, with overtly Catholic themes present in many of the paintings. The artist's penitential streak is evident in his willingness to engage with the challenges of working with a difficult medium like watercolour on gesso. The resulting works are thick and textured, with layers of paint and gesso visible beneath the surface, telling a story of their own.
As we gaze upon Yaeger's paintings, we are forced to confront our own complexities, to make sense of the darkness that lurks within us all. 'Polygrapher' is an exhibition that challenges, disturbs, and ultimately rewards, inviting us to enter the troubled world of this fascinating and enigmatic artist.
. And can we talk about how cramped the viewing area is? Like, I get that the paintings are supposed to be intense and immersive but it's hard to really focus when you're squished between 10 other people staring at the same piece 
. And what's up with the 'interactive' elements they had set up? It just felt like a bunch of gimmicks to make you pay more for a mediocre coffee cup 
. The art itself is definitely thought-provoking but I'm not sure if it's worth all the hype...
, i gotta say it's like yaeger's peeling back layers of his own skin on canvas...all these tiny details, like pistachio shells & biscuit wrappers, it's like he's trying to prove a point about our humanity 
. and the polygraph test thing? mind blown...it's like he's putting himself under a microscope, confronting all his inner demons 
. i love how yaeger's catholic upbringing is still influencing his work, it adds this extra layer of depth 
. overall, it's an exhibition that'll leave you feeling unsettled & intrigued 
. The fact that his Catholic upbringing comes through in some of the work is interesting too, shows how our upbringing can shape us in ways we don't even realize 
. Overall, I think this exhibit is a must-see for anyone who wants to explore the wild side of human nature 
it's like he's trying to make us feel uncomfortable on purpose. and what's up with all the catholic themes? seems like yaeger's still stuck in that upbringing or something 
i mean, i get the whole truth-telling thing, but can't we just leave some mystery out of the equation? anyway, 10/10 would not visit again anytime soon 
some artists need to shake things up, even if it means making us squirm in our seats. so yeah, i'll definitely be checking out this polygrapher exhibition... but don't say i didn't warn you 
But seriously, I love how he uses polygraph testing as a metaphor for truth-telling and self-discovery. It's so deep and thought-provoking. The way he incorporates these random bits of stuff into the paintings is like, what even is that supposed to be? But in a good way, you know? Like it's all part of this big messy human experience.
I need to see more of this stuff in my life, stat!
. I mean, have you ever had a lie detector test done on you? It's like, super awkward & invasive 
. But at the same time, it's like, we all try to figure out who we are & where we fit in the world, right? 
The way Yaeger uses polygraph results as a kind of confessional is really interesting... it makes me think about how art can be both a form of self-discovery & a way of confronting our own flaws & fears 
. The way he uses polygraph testing as a metaphor for truth-telling is so deep 
. It's like, his paintings are a reflection of his own inner turmoil and it makes you feel all the feels 
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. His Catholic upbringing has definitely influenced his work, but it's not just about being 'Catholic' - it's about exploring the complexities of human psychology 
. It's uncomfortable, but in a good way? 
. Yaeger's art makes you feel all the emotions and it's not easy to look away from it. That's what I love about it - it's raw, it's honest, and it's totally thought-provoking 
. It's like he's peeling back the layers of our own psyches, exposing us to our deepest fears and desires 
.
. And that polygraph test thing? Mind blown 
. I mean, who would've thought to use that as a metaphor for self-discovery? It's like Yaeger is challenging us to confront our own truth and ambiguity.
. What I think I love most about this exhibition is how uncomfortable it makes me feel 
he takes these fragments from old films and gives them new life, but it's not just about the visuals - it's about how we connect the dots between truth & lies, self & other 
his use of polygraph testing as a metaphor is genius, like he's asking us to confront our own inner demons 
️
have you seen the way he incorporates detritus into his works? it's like he's trying to say that even our most mundane things hold a certain kind of beauty or something 
anyway i'm definitely going to try and get tickets to see this exhibit ASAP - it sounds like a wild ride 
like seriously, can't we just appreciate the weirdness? Yaeger's use of polygraph testing is cool i guess but it's like, he's trying too hard to be deep right? and those biscuit wrappers? really? 
gotta say, i'm kinda intrigued by his process tho, 6 months or a year on each piece, that's dedication 