David Bly & Kathleen Bly, Jib Projects
PARACHUTE GALLERY CORE ARTISTS
Kathleen Bly & David Bly, Jib Projects · Tampa, FL
Jib Projects is an art and design collective co-founded in 2022 by Kathleen and David Bly. The couple met as undergraduates, and often collaborated while pursuing BFA degrees at Florida State University. David went on to receive a Masters in Architecture from The University of Florida.
After a decade away, working in photography and architecture in New York City and Hawaii, they moved back to Florida and began Jib Projects to develop work that operates in the space between these disciplines. The Florida landscape has long been a source of inspiration and their sculptural work explores connection to time and place through material. They live with their two young children in Tampa, FL.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Our work explores themes of time and place in materiality. This, process, and an alchemical sense of play serve the final body of work with a broad imbued narrative. We are sensitive to the delicate ecosystem we live in, sourcing locally salvaged woods, extracting use from discards (e.g. leaching tannins from oak bark), growing flowers for dyes, and employing living processes. The overlapping ephemeral and persistent components place the composition in a distinct moment. We collaborate with the materials, acting as a co-author, connected spiritually and occasionally physically. The sculptures are intentionally practical, breaking down the barrier of viewer/art, urging a physical touch. In such, they occupy space intimately and interactively. Their narrative intersects with that of the viewer/user.
www.jibprojects.com · @jibprojects
[Updated September 2023]
A sneak peek into Jib Projects’ studio and process:
