A rural foundation shapes an artistic vision
Zeb Lund‘s journey into the art world is deeply rooted in his upbringing in the rural landscapes of Nebraska. Born and raised in a small village in the northern Great Plains, Lund’s childhood was steeped in the traditions of craftsmanship, from carpentry and construction to metalworking and mechanics. The vast agricultural expanses that surround it, where cornfields stretch endlessly to the north and east and pastures dominate to the south and west, provide a unique backdrop that has shaped his understanding of space and matter. Growing up in an environment focused on agriculture and production gave Lund an intimate connection to the physicality of making things, which would later inform his art.
Rather than pursuing a direct path to the arts, Lund became an architect, where he honed his skills in drawing and conceptualizing space. The discipline of architecture, focusing on structure, precision and design, became a natural extension of his early life experiences. This architectural context is evident in his work, where space, form and materiality take center stage. His designs reflect an awareness of time and craft, drawing on his rural Nebraska history, while transcending the confines of his formal training. The act of creating is at the heart of his practice, and his artistic production is fueled by the curiosity and practical experimentation that were instilled in him from an early age.
This connection between his education and his art blurs the lines between his career as an architect and his creative endeavors. For Lund, art is not something he simply does; it is an ongoing process: a need to tinker, study and create. His work embodies an ongoing conversation with space, materials and history, where each piece becomes a reflection of his journey through the worlds of construction and design.
Zeb Lund: harnessing the unlimited potential of mediums
Lund’s artistic approach is marked by a refusal to confine himself to a single style or medium. Rather, his work unfolds as a series of explorations, studies in which he pushes the boundaries of various materials and forms. While some artists may settle into a distinctive style, Lund thrives on the freedom to experiment, inspired by the careers of those like Bruce Nauman, who also moved fluidly between disciplines. His process is driven by relentless curiosity, where each material – from acrylics and oils to digital media and even raw building materials like 2x4s – is tested for its potential to convey something new.
In a single piece, the paint’s thick textures create a tactile, almost sculptural quality, inviting the viewer to engage with the work on a visceral level. The physicality of his gestures is captured in the layers of paint, where movement and energy seem suspended in time. These pieces are bold, full of life and demand attention, not only through their visual impact but also through the suggestion of touch and movement. They challenge the boundary between two-dimensional painting and sculpture, embodying Lund’s fascination with the way materials can hold and express energy.
Conversely, Lund’s minimalist works provide a stark contrast, emphasizing the power of simplicity. These pieces explore the tension between presence and absence, where a single line or stark, negative space invites quiet contemplation. There is a restraint in these works that speaks to Lund’s understanding of form and space, a reflection of his architectural sensibility. These moments of simplicity are as much about what is left out as what is included, creating the opportunity for the viewer to fill in the empty spaces with their own interpretations. His minimalist works embody a kind of quiet power, proving that less can indeed be more in the right hands.
Embracing Distractions as Creative Catalysts
The environment in which an artist works can significantly influence their output and for Lund, certain elements are crucial. Silence, or a constant hum, provides the auditory backdrop he needs to concentrate. Light also plays an essential role, emphasizing the importance of visibility and clarity in its architectural and artistic processes. Yet while these controlled elements are important, Lund embraces distractions with open arms, considering them an integral part of his creative process. Where others might find interruptions an obstacle, Lund sees them as opportunities to pursue new paths, letting his work evolve organically with each unexpected turn.
His workspace, in its ideal form, is a place where thought and movement are free. Physical space is necessary for him to think and move freely, allowing his ideas to take shape without constraint. With the added pleasures of a good coffee or a well-poured drink, the Lund studio becomes a sanctuary for both disciplined focus and spontaneous creativity. The interplay between structure and chaos is at the heart of his process, as is his approach to materials, where he likes to push boundaries and test boundaries.
This acceptance of spontaneity is reflected in the variety of mediums and forms that define his artistic practice. Whether working on a highly textured canvas or a minimalist digital composition, distractions often lead to unexpected results. For Lund, the creative process is not about rigidly adhering to a plan but about being guided by the unpredictable and letting your work evolve naturally. In this way, distractions become creative catalysts, pushing one’s work in new directions and keeping one’s practice fresh and dynamic.
Zeb Lund: Dialogue with artistic giants
Influences are crucial to the development of any artist, and for Zeb Lund, his work is deeply indebted to the art world giants who came before him. He is particularly inspired by artists like Piranesi, Lucio Fontana and Mark Rothko, creators who each contributed something radically unique. From Piranesi’s spectacular architectural prints to Fontana’s revolutionary spatial concepts and Rothko’s stirring color fields, these figures left an indelible mark on Lund’s artistic philosophy.
However, it is not only these historical influences that guide him; Lund finds deep meaning in the work of Francis Bacon, particularly in his “Studies of Pope Innocent X.” Although not his own creations, the conversations he had with Bacon’s works helped shape his thinking about art. Bacon’s ability to evoke intense emotions through distortion and abstraction resonates with Lund’s desire to engage viewers on both a visceral and intellectual level. The series “Pope Innocent
This dialogue with the masters of the past does not end in admiration, it turns into adaptation. Lund’s art is an ongoing process of studying, borrowing and reshaping the ideas of the artists he reveres. By blending the lessons of these diverse influences with his own ideas and experiences, Lund creates work that is both rooted in the past and entirely contemporary. His art becomes a living conversation with history, culture and the ever-changing present, constantly evolving as he seeks to discover what lies just beyond the horizon.
