Mixed media artist John Nieman is a very clever man. His work mainly features common consumer objects that seem, at first, void of significance. But things are not as straightforward as it may seem, and it’s this tendency of blindness on society’s part toward the banal that makes Nieman’s work so interesting. There are several layers of meaning at play here. The objects Nieman portrays are without context, iconic, then hemmed down with text. The two are interdependent, each adding a contrasting tone to the other, even composition wise, yet they retain their lighthearted association. Part of this is due to Nieman’s photo realistic sensibility and Rockwellian pallet.

Yet there is nothing sentimental about Nieman’s work. These common objects stripped from their owners and flanked by Nieman’s strong use of shadow, carry a somewhat stark and mysterious aura. Nieman draws inspiration from his varied pursuits, including creative director for an international advertising firm, music director, author, and chef