Artist Spotlight: Greg Gossel
Greg Gossel, a Wisconsin-based artist is featured in our 2024 ‘One by One’ Group Exhibition. Continue reading to learn more about Greg’s life and work.
Greg Gossel was born in 1982 in Western Wisconsin. With a background in design, his work is an expressive interplay of many diverse words, images, and gestures. Gossel’s multi-layered work illustrates a visual history of change and process that simultaneously praises and condemns popular culture.
Can you share a bit about how your artistic journey and what led you to develop your current style?
I studied graphic design in college and began my career as a designer in Minneapolis. While working as a designer I was creating my own fine art on the side in my apartment. I began to exhibit that work in local coffee shops, then local galleries; and then eventually regionally and nationally. After a couple years of showing work nationally, I slowly transitioned to a full time artist around 2009. Since then I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to exhibit my work worldwide, and partner with various companies on commercial projects. Around 2016 I began to shift my focus more toward large-scale public art, which is now the bulk of my annual creative output.
How did your background in design influence the evolution of your work over the years?
Many of the principles I learned while studying design still influence my work today… Whether its the incorporation of text, use of color & hierarchy, or layering of imagery; the way I handle all these elements stems from my foundation in graphic design.
Your work both features and condemns popular culture. What aspects of contemporary culture inspire you and how do you incorporate them?
I often try to reflect many of the most outrageous and superficially interesting elements from our culture, past & present. I aim to layer & juxtapose these elements in unique ways, letting the viewer decipher their interpretation of messages within each artwork.
Your work has been exhibited globally in major cities like New York, London, and Tokyo, has this exposure to diverse cultures influenced your artistic perspective or themes?
Any place I have the opportunity to visit to exhibit work or paint a mural leaves a mark on my creative process moving forward. I try to immerse myself into these cultures during my stay, and incorporate that experience into future work; be it an old hand painted sign, some unique architecture, or simply a great local meal.
What does your creative process look like on a day-to-day basis?
I try to stick to as standard of a 9-5 schedule as possible. Usually my days are a mix of admin work (emails, website, etc…), concepting/sketching for future projects, and executing current projects in studio or on the road.
You are currently living in Wisconsin, how does this environment influence you, where do you find inspiration in your community?
I was in Minneapolis for close to 15 years, and 5 years ago made the move out to the country in Wisconsin. I’ve enjoyed the extra space and solitude; taking more inspiration from nature, the colors & natural cycles of the seasons… This new perspective helps to infuse more patience and calmness into my creative process.
You have an impressive amount of collaborations with diverse industries, is there a particular collab that stands out to you?
Tough to pick any particular collaboration, as each one is so unique, but I do really enjoy the creative challenge of working with a brand in that commercial realm. Sometimes the specific restraints or parameters of a commercial project offer the opportunity to approach your creative process in a new way, forcing you out of your comfort zone, which can often lead to exciting results.
Looking ahead, are there any projects or goals you have for the upcoming year?
I try not to be too specific with goals, as things are always changing and evolving, in life and work… That said, I still find the public art realm very exciting, and always jump at any opportunity that arises to embark on those large scale outdoor mural projects.
'Untitled (Curtain Call 2), 2018'
12x12 in.
Silkscreen Ink, Acrylic, and Collage on Wood Panel
