San Francisco based artist Joe Hengst presents his idea of the future world in imaginative, acrylic landscape paintings. At the core of his work is his belief in man’s increasing separation from the natural world. Since the beginning of our time, nature has supplied us with the things we need most for survival, such as food, water, clothing, and shelter. With the introduction of modern day society came a change in how we supply our every day needs. Hengst represents our withdrawal from nature by painting ethereal pieces that experiment with abstraction. They also mark the start of a new world we are creating for ourselves. It is out of control – flowing with rainbow rivers, trippy, glacier-like formations, and mystical portals into the unknown. Though strange in its kaleidoscopic wonder, this seems to be a place of beauty, making Hengst’s future a hopeful one.
Hengst is currently exhibiting his work in Flatcolor Gallery’s group show, “Journey into Another,” on view through May 30th.