Jimmy Descant - Western Futurism by a Severe ReConstructivist - Home - Contact

***NEW PBS - AZ Illustrated episode in Tucson!!!

Intention - Statement


Freestanding >>>>>>>>

"Chief 4's Of 8's"
The Great Cheyenne -
Dog Soldier/Self Portrait

7'x32"x6" $8500
+ shipping/delivery - about 250 lb.
Bolted to a wall, or freestanding

BEST OF SHOW winner,
"Shock Of The New West" 2020,
Tubac Center for the Arts
San Diego Museum of Art 2023

My vision started with a search for a door, and I wanted to use the best parts that I brought to Tucson. The door came thru the Universe, the full size warrior came thru inspiration. There are plenty instances of 4's and 8's throughout. It has a real heavy duty hanging wire on back, and has side legs so it can be freestanding. Severe weight in size and metaphor!

"King Rattle Back"

24"x42"x2" $1500

With found objects symbolism in resin on a vacuum cleaner attachment panel. Plywood background, in frame, with shot up found metal. With a real snake rattle. This badass soulful roadkill victim was laid out in my yard - flattened and dried for a year in the desert before achieving it's destiny as framed art.

“Rattlesnake Stampede”
52”x16”x5” 60 lbs. SOLD
29 saw handle steer heads, vintage rusted tractor crankshaft, on old cedar robe door. Stylized abstract badass rattlesnake imagery with Southern and Western lore galore. HEAVY!

"Rattlesnake Shake"
8'x2'x4" 100 lb $7500
+ shipping/deliveryFree standing or wall hanging. Currently installed in the on loan prgram in Moab, UT till 9/24, but for sale. Badass dripping soulful Southern blues imagery, and Western dicotomy of flora/fauna juxtaposed with western expansion industrialism by aluminum anodized picture frame corner samples and other metal. About 300 screws attaching.


"Red American America"
$5000 6'x2'x5" 70 lb.

This Indian warrior is a mix of Western and Mardi Gras Indians, with 50 small metaphors and 1 big one! The expansion of the West and American manufacturing products, used to depict the cause, effect, and consequences. Started with an old store sign that had a red arrow on it, and layered plenty on! Spinning shoulder and boot spurs!


“Chief Thozi -
Protection Totem"
$5000 8'x18"x5" 80 lb.
Towering totem of found objects on vintage patinaed panel, with decoupage of an impovershed family at the bottom, in a hogan. The rake guards, doesn't imprison - and the hatchets point out, protecting the family and the 21st century.

"Chief Thunderbird"
$5000 10'x10'x3' about 750 lb.
*NOW living at THC in Salida, CO., but for sale! Now has a REALLY rough and weathered patina, so you get a deal on it!
All found and free wood, starting with pallets, all screwed and nailed together. This monster T-Bird stands watch with roaring mouth and bowling ball/cue ball eyes; and steam iron metaphors of pressures and heat for Native Americans in a new world.


“Pull Back - To Fly"
Covid/Future/Arrow
$7500 8'x2'x4"
Aluminum diamond plate panels, front and back, with salvaged aluminum picture frame sample corners. 424 screws attaching! About 80 lb

"Chief Eye-Heart-Gut,
Archer Of The West"
$30,000 10'x6'x3' about 350 lb.
This abstract Indian archer shows the 'heartline' of Natives and species, with a strength of feeling and intent.

"The Strength Of The Sky"
10'x3'x3' 500 lb. $20,000

2 steam radiators base, found object construction rocketship, with 12" tall interior Indian Chief mascot, as Native strength, potential, and ascension.
closeup

“Native Madonna's Crossing"
23"x15"x4" $300
I used this decoupage board found at a thrift store as my drill press board, but it fell and cracked in half. It had a sticker that said 'Native Madonna'. El Rey (the king) washboard, and functioning canoe bank with the plug on the bottom, so that when it's full, the riches shower down.
open

“Wheelbarrow 97"
14"x9"x4" $300
Based on the Mexican Loteria, #97 in the series, on leather clipboard from a Tucson construction co. Vintage cigarette case snaps open to show the basis card, and you can put in your own pictures or treasures!

“Gold, In Silver"
Deluxe Vacuum Rocketship - SOLD

“Blue Pearl"
Deluxe Vacuum Rocketship - SOLD

“ReFuel Drill Rocket"
Deluxe Vacuum Rocketship - SOLD

“A Drop Of Soul"
Deluxe Vacuum Rocketship - SOLD

"JFK As An Indian" #1
32"x42"x3" SOLD
2'x3' matted prints of my Father's 1960 photos of Senator Kennedy.
Shown at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, 2010, 50th anniversary of when my Dad took the pictures on the street. I raise JFK from the dead to the level of Indian Chief, showing what his tribe did to many indigenous peoples, they also did to him.

See all in this series at
JFK pictures link

"JFK As An Indian" #3

Last available in this series!

30"x40"x4" $2500

“Chief LTD"
$500 26"x17"x4"
Vintage decoupage board background, badass Mardi Gras Indian chief

“Custom built Cowboy/Rocket Bike"

SOLD

"Pass the Hatchet! TOMAHAWK"
30"x22"x3" $400

The 2nd instant art piece I did while camping in the Terlingua Ghost Town with friends early 2018. Mahjong tiles that say the name, and vintage rough wood desktop.

"Beware Of Dog Soldiers"
24"x26"x5" $1000
'FLICKA' hobby horse on seagull decoupage board. with horse as the badass Cheyenne warriors, with WW 2 theater knife, vintage catcher's mask, many screwdrivers.

"Kut Of The Kewa"
2'x1'x3" $400

School desk top with Santa Domingo pueblo (Kewa tribe) outside Santa Fe type Thunderbirds. Open skies, Indian chieftain, has "KUT" carved in the wood.

"JET"

18"x16"x4" $750
"This Train"
LINK to page, for full effect >>>>>

The metaphor -
to open the show, America’s woman (purity, nature, truth) is killed by the machine of Man(kind), even though there is good in the world and possibilities of positivity. Man (all of us) have to work to rebuild the railroad train (progress) to be released from Purgatory. The aerialistin the show is not the Ghost but the symbol of keeping on track the work that is required, and reminder to not falter halfway thru. The rising Ghost at the end and the release of the ropes signal this redemption, and the swinging lamp is the signal for ‘all clear, go ahead’. She can ascend, as well as Man, due to the completion of the task and the test. The end

Written, produced, directed, and Engine by Jimmy Descant
Built onstage with my 2 favorite art podners and company in Salida, CO, June 29, 2013. 4'hx13'wx4"deep, all chained together in one huge performance sculpture.

SOLD ONLY as a set - $7500
RIP Mark... killed by a train in Iowa Aug. 31, 2014.
Pics page here

Passenger car by Mark 'Eyeball' Kneeskern, RIP Aug. 31, 2014... killed by a train.Writer of "The Last American Hitch Hiker"

Caboose by Brinkley Messick
Best artist in Salida, CO.

“Suitcase Jesus"
 2021 - 8'x5'x20" - 13 suitcases, each with a vintage New Testament/Psalms pocket bible inside, commenting on the 'righteous traveler zealot' of current and historical white America. Putting away the Word, beliefs, and the Man when inconvienent.
Full statement - Full page

For sale - please inquire

For consideration for museums, galleries, installations, socio/political events, and seminars

"The Shape Of AZ/MEX Commenting On The Shape Of AZ/MEX" - Yuma Arts Center 9/23-11/23
Live art build series, BELOW - I am a Severe ReConstructivist, specializing in a style called “Western Futurism” -
In my series of socio/political statements - “The Shape of Arizona Commenting on the Shape of Arizona”, I create these sculptures in front of an audience, sometimes with musicians, poets, dancers, dj’s, etc. in my intention of conversations about America and it’s migrant policies, past, present, and future; as well as the insults and damages done to Native Peoples’ land and history along the border. I grew up in New Orleans, lived in Colorado for 12 years, and have lived in and experienced the border state of Arizona for 4 years, with the border as the #1 topic. In my exciting, sometimes bloody, fast paced builds (2-60 mins), I convey a yin/yang of the good/evil acts and intentions of the government, authorities, and isolationists… AND volunteers, humanitarians, and intellectuals’ passions of Arizona, the Peoples, the border, and the river's and culture’s dividing lines. Using vintage found objects all screwed down into found plywood to build up a whole theme, I then finish the show by using an angle grinder to cut off the protruding screws in back, thrilling the audience with fire, and ‘heat’ contemplation. Severe instant art in one of a kind contemporary events and statements. *** Latest art first, for the following live art listings!

“The AZ/MEX 3 Hump Heart” - You, me, and us… 46”x32”x4” $750

VIDEO

I built this piece, #23 in the series, at the Yuma Arts Center for my opening reception of my solo show for this entire series Sept. 22, 2023, in 35 minutes with DJ and videographer DJ Thirsty Kitty. On exhibit thru Nov 25
Starting with a dining room table top, I built up the circular parts to create a ‘3 hump heart’, giving the traditional heart and extra hump in the middle to denote the ‘you, me, and us’ theme of all inclusive inclusivity of peoples of the border area - America (all colors), Mexico, and Native Americans. The piece is dominated by circles of lives and experiences, with the Devil caged behind a catcher’s mask. Canes, arrows, garden claws as outstretched hands… so many metaphors, and one big intention. This was the 23rd in the series but made it a total of 20 pieces on display, along with 25 smaller 12”x8” pieces.

“Ditat Deus, Et Clamat”
(God Enriches and Cries)
30”x30”x3” $750

#22 Built live at Triangle L Art Ranch, Oracle, AZ - outdoor sculpture reception, Sept. 17, 2023 in 30 minutes with one man band Jaimie Miller, HYPNOPAD

VIDEO

For the opening reception of the newest installations at this beautiful sculpture park, once again using fold out rulers to highlight the border, I express and expand on the motto displayed on the State Seal of Arizona - "Ditat Deus" meaning God Enriches, and using piano hammers as tear drops... 'and Cries' about the injustices and inhumanity of cause, effect, and enforcement in policies and treatment of migrants and their plight, including useless hot metal shipping containers and Texan floating balls with serrated saw blades meant to maim and drown. There is the yin/yang of beauty and evil once again, with 50 small metaphors and one big one.

“Loteria De Tucson” 50”x24”x2” 50”x24”x2” $750

Sept. 2023 for Arte De La Vida ‘Loteria’ art show, thru Nov 21

#21 Built live in my studio, but over days… not an instant build, but included in this ’Shape’ series. Based on the mexican cards game of loteria with numbered images

"The Border Is/Is Not As Ellis"
32"x26"x4" $1000 25 lb

VIDEO

#20 in the series built live in front of a great crowd at the Members Exhibition reception, Aug. 11, 2023 in 35 minutes, at the Tubac Center Of The Arts, Tubac, AZ, with the eclectic spontaneous art reactionary toneage and percussion of band FoolAloof from Bisbee, AZ.

Starting with a found frame and print and adding the thug target first, then the signs of inclusion/exclusion of residence and migration. The play sand being an easy $5 hardware purchase for Arizonans compared to the burning tundra of decisions and treks to a better life for migrants. Dichotomy in nationalism in the vintage stamps of Nixon, and Steinbeck - who once set out from Monterey on a research vessel to the Sea Of Cortez. Severe building up of model train tracks as Manifest Destiny tracks and scars from multiple border placements, and as always, dedication to the native Peoples who have always straddled. The vintage aluminum 1/2 marks the haves and have nots, and also denotes 'one of two' in disproportionate travesty and bounty. The border now is one of such brutality and fatigue, where Ellis (where my maternal grandmother entered in 1933) was the seemingly more organized, hospitable, and welcoming - and white, but probably not as austere as depicted. Thus the Is/Is Not in the yin-yang of conversation and treatment in this sculpture's topics.

"Add. add, add... Chop, chop, chop... Add, add, add"
38”x35”x4” $2000

VIDEO

#19 piece in this series of live assemblage art performance of AZ/MEX commentary on conditions and Peoples on the border and in life in the desert and America, built July 24, 2023 in 15 minutes on my back patio, with help from my film crew Thirsty Kitty and Moon Paddler. I work out the demons in this build and video, and culminates in the positives of inclusion and love, without taking any shit! I add, add, add the negatives that weigh on the soul of humans and planet in words and pictures, and in part 2, chop, chop, chop away all that is sinister, to reveal in part 3, the beauty of inclusive love and community, especially friends, family, and citizen LGBTQ folks, and beyond. “We are all, all colors and results of the palette, and the brush” in this world and the next.

"nacH20"
(nacho/notch-2-O)
48”x33”x6” $1000 50 lb.

12 minute edited version live video

#17 in the series, built live June 19, 2023, in 33 minutes with videographer/dj Thirsty Kitty. Live Tucson, AZ backyard assemblage art performance build in the hose, under the stream of the hose, with intense hammering down of my neighborhood found discarded water bottle debris, with canteens and found objects nailed to an old gate. I built this representing use/waste/life/love/living with and about water in the Sonoran desert - running downstream to a dry end into the Sea of Cortez, and art, culture, and people going up river from Mexico, Central and South America. As always, Native American representation of cross border culture and family.

“Love It Or Cleave It”
(Turtle Island) ((by honor))
32"x43"x3" $1000
Video
#18 in the series, built live July 15, 2023, in 25 minutes at the Hitching Post, Bisbee, AZ, with band Let Alone from Phoenix
Starting out with found plywood, picture frame, vintage stereo cabinet panel, and lawn chair repair vinyl in red, white, and blue as the Union Jack as the country we are most akin to because of, in spite of, and in defiance of… With my classic ‘AZ/MEX shape’ way back in the layers, with east and west coast cutouts loosely nailed, manifesting Manifest Destiny literally, then pulling the sections off and cracking off the states’ divisions and renailing abstractly as background and really pulling back the curtains of ‘border’, i.e. Hidalgo. Then building up starting with the title premise, with crossed cleavers and yin/yang imagery thru-out in our volatile cultural/social/political times, building out with the products of the great era of American manufacturing that actually destroyed the People and the land. But not all, and not all permitted permanently. I reconnect the disparate parts of this great and horrible country through my love of trains, which again, were perceived good and evil. As always I represent the 1st Peoples as we are all standing, and buying, and pilfering stolen land; and the border has only recent historical significance, and more recent abject insult and damage. There’s the sheep as cliche, there’s the homestead, there’s the pencils, there’s the ATF, there’s the ‘twin’… It is not about left and right, it is about what is true… not holy book truths or ‘I did my own research’ truth… but the actual compassion, which can be wholly giving or the sonic separation of (some) of the ages. Turtle Island refers to what the Native Peoples called North America before the settlers came... and for religious context, which seems to be more and more prior-pre-determinated absolute future by certain inhabitants - The Judgement Of Solomon. Look it up.
"Good-Byes To Bad-Byes"
44"x64"x5" 50 lbs

#15 in this series of “The Shape Of AZ/MEX Commenting On The Shape Of AZ/Mex”. This piece was built live in 30 mins with the band The Bird Lords at the Hitching Post in Bisbee, AZ on Feb 18, 2023, an in the moment mayhem build of epic proportions! The title refers to the trauma and heartbreak of migrating north across the borders and all the separations endured, temporary and/or permanent, and the fortitude to get to a point of NOT having to say good-bye any more to loved ones or culture. I wanted to make my own art crucifix, and built this up with larger pieces and metaphors like a carved Jesus head, fish tray, shotgun blasted 'warning' sign and a 'no hunting' sign. A corn husker finger tool transposed with an 'I.C.E.' pick, Mexican flag rubber hammer, rat traps, and fold out ruler arrows pointing South but are also agaves. The feet are vintage tin AZ and Mex souvenir ashtrays. And always the recognition of the 1st Peoples who have occupied and straddled both sides of the border, with a sterling bell of a warrior and cornucopia. the sub title is "c.c.c." - chunky chollo crucifix

Full Video

SOLD
“Personal Belongings”
33”x27”x3” $1500

#16 in the series. This piece was built live in one hour at the Sculpture Tucson office ranch house, Tucson, AZ Feb 22, 2023. Performing with Loren Dircks and his band Gila Bend, and variation of his other - The Classless Chaps.

Starting with a property bag and my 2022 calendar from Hotel Congress, I wanted to create a expanding headdress of found materials, all screwed and nailed in, expanding on the expanding aspects of being cross border and cross cultural. Not just possessions, but feel and need of sense of place, and that it’s not always black and white… or brown and white. I have moved and changed many times in my life, and consider myself a citizen and artist of the whole world, commenting in this series on where I am now. And she is everywhere now as well, but focused on the Mexican/American placement in this sculpture. As usual, many small metaphors, one big one, and many parts and messages to decipher.

One hour performance,
tv filming on location

Arizona Illustrated episode April 30, 2023, AZPM-PBS
#13 in the series

VIDEOS - Full -
Middle, 1 min -
End, explain, 1:30
“IN-Tuition…”
( #13 OF 48th, IN ’22, IN 3 )
$1000

Built live at Habitation Speakeasy
Dec 16, 2022 in 41 mins.
with band Machine Oil

This event and build is for pre-election insults to women and human rights, and post-election positivities to women, Dreamers, Prop 308 - those eligible for in-state tuition rates guaranteed, missing Native Sisters, Roe and Respect for Marriage, containers and sacred grounds and water, Title 42 and decades of abuse and oppression by government agencies and coyotes… for the love of the Peoples and the borders in and out, up and down.

Full Video
“Black Ristra” 28”x18”x3”
$750

#14 in the series - Built live at The Hitching Post, Bisbee, AZ, during 1st Festival, with Fool Aloof band, Jan. 1, 2023, in 30 mins

Starting with a blank board and frame, I added foldout rulers for the ‘Shape Of AZ/MEX Commenting On The Shape Of AZ/MEX’ with the border. I nailed and built up multiple rubber cord protectors from steam irons used in previous art, creating the ‘string’ effect of a ristra bunch, as the black and blue bruises of migrant travels, troubles, and tribulations as well as the bruised Americans constantly adjusting to years of muddy immigration practices, foreign policies, and muddy waters… thus the representative canteen and rosary. As always in this series, there is the representation and metaphor of across borderlands of the 1st Peoples, always in flux, and seldom considered.
9.

GREAT video by Auston Wimberly

My (almost) full video

Abes Bones on Bandcamp

"AZ-VX-MX" 36"x30"x3" $1000
June 4, 2021 - #9 in the series - 1st performance post-Covid lockdown -
About the shape of Arizona commenting on the shape of Arizona, with Mexico. Coming out of Covid but concerned for the rest of the disadvantaged world in getting vaccines to stem a continuos 'catch up' risk for future variants. Live assemblage art with Abes Bones, at Hacienda Del Sol Resort, Pop-Up Drive Thru Sculpture Park. Masks were donated by the audience to start the art and the show. At the end I named my dead, and asked the audience to do the same, Then say 'SNAP' and snap their fingers, of life, in an instant.
10.

“A Night At The Races” 3’x2’x3”
$500 VIDEO
Built live in 10 minutes at the Steinfeld Warehouse Gallery, Dec. 14, 2021 with the band Abes Bones. During the opening of my retrospective show “Parenthetical”. The right said of America’s colors for white, the left Mexico colors for brown, yellow arrow for the Asians who came from the far east to build much of the West, and the black arrow for the slaves and free men of color who came from the South to help build the country. The dark red center stripe for the original Peoples, lacing together the other reds and colors of all.

11.

“The Cross and The Crossed” 41”x30”x3” $2500 VIDEO
Built live in 20 mins. at the Steinfeld Warehouse Gallery, Dec. 18, 2021 with Prince. Tons of found Fireball shot bottles at the curbs and red lights of Tucson, AZ, vintage Tucson 40” yardstick, horseshoes, and model train tracks. #11 in the series of ‘the shape of AZ/MEX commenting on the shape of AZ/Mex’. Even in this beautiful Sonoran winter, the summer heat is ever-present in the minds and soles and souls of migrants seeking a better life, and avoiding death. Keep the faith brothers and sisters of the western world, blessings.


12.

"Borders? What Borders? (means)"
30"x21"x3" $750 VIDEO
Built live 4/10/22 in 11 mins, in my Made in Tucson event booth. 7 layers built up instant assemblage performance.
“Slava Ukraini! Heroyam Slava.” A chant for the Ukrainian people that stems back to the Ukraine war of Independence over a century ago has become synonymous with Ukraine's pride. It means “Glory to Ukraine – Glory to the heroes.” With soundtrack of Queen’s ‘God Save The Queen’ (My Country Tis Of Thee) and the Ukraine national anthem to end the performance.
5.

“Baby Talk” 26”x22”x2” $500
Built live Jan. 2020 at Bookmans Midtown in 10 minutes!!! Video

*3 pieces built in one weekend with Creative Improvisor Composer Brandon Bergman, FringeFest Tucson
6.

“Atasco Conexión” 40”x19”x5”
SOLD
Built live Jan. 2020 at Cafe Passe in 2 minutes!!! Video

*3 pieces built in one weekend with Creative Improvisor Composer Brandon Bergman, FringeFest Tucson
7.

“One Nation Blunders God -
Divisible To Liberty… It’s Not Just-Us After All” 41”x41”x5” $2000
Built live Jan. 2020 at Steinfeld Warehouse
Video Video2
*3 pieces built in one weekend with Creative Improvisor Composer Brandon Bergman, FringeFest Tucson
8.

“Hermosa Buena Suerte"
46"x40"x5" HEAVY! 50 lb. $2500
Built live at the Sculpture Resource Center, Feb. 8, 2020 in 70 mins.Video 1 Beginning
Video 2 - FULL show
Video 3 - Ending
1.

AZ - CENTRIC SERIES, LIVE ART BUILDS
2019-2023

“La Familia Humanidad”
48”x30”x4” $1000
Built live at Sculpture Tucson Art Fest, April 2019
VIDEO
2.

“MEGA Inmigracion Ignorante” 48”x18”x4” $1000
Built live at Solar Culture Gallery,
Tucson, June 2019
VIDEO
3.

“MAL-I.C.E. - From The Cradle To The Cage” 36”x30”x6”
SOLD
VIDEO
Built live at B/Lending Forms Fringe Fest event, Steinfeld Warehouse Gallery, Tucson, July 2019
4.

“The Tracks Of Our Trails Of Our Reverse Trails Of Tears” 36”x24”x4”
NFS
Built live at Raices Taller Gallery, Tucson, Sept. 2019
VIDEO
VIDEO 2
Further available art...

"Truth/Ascension OVER Brutality/Oppression"
Severe stenciling (rare for me) about George Floyd/Colin Kaepernick/Derek Chauvin in the 2020 era of Black Lives Matter 48"x33" $1500 plus shipping


"The Finger...
Facilitates Hope"
Built, painted, and documented at Hope outdoor graffiti art gallery, Austin, Tx. by myself and Curtis Killorn - March, 2018 3'x6'x3" 40 lb $1000 plus shipping

Video explanations by the artists:
Jimmy
Curtis

Commenting on the art, artists, and viewers this famous outdoor expressive open work space, which was demolished and they moved to a larger venue. The finger is the key, moved by the brain, heart, and eye, with the paint can implied.

"All Four Does Not
Necessarily Make One"

$500 + shipping

"Soldiers' Potential"

$500 + shipping
Crutches series, 9/11 10th anniversary exhibition,
Salida, CO 2011

"Heroes,... and Liars" 2011
Vintage crutches and brass scale panel, in the shape of a lyre

4'x2.5'x2" $500 + shipping

"Best or Worst?
Domino Theory, In Perpituity" 2011

20"x22"x2" $500

"Is War Profiteering Treason?" 2011

5'x2'x3" $500 + shipping

"A Young Man's Gamed -
The Story Of Pat Tillman"

$500