In John Sparagana’s new series of works, Sparagana exposes a unique underlying potential within found images through a process of transformation and juxtaposition. In recontextualizing their original physicality and intent—a new significance unfolds.

Sparagana typically utilizes common fashion ads-the images that are most prevalent in our everyday environment, which we identify with, compare ourselves to, and lose ourselves in. Each work is composed of images sliced into very long, thin strips, and then mixed and multiplied with different or identical ones. The works emit a bodily, skin-like quality that vibrates with saturated colors and seducing forms. The process of layering introduces an element of time that was formerly absent-its appearance pulsating and rhythmic, yet its narrative frozen and dramatized. The resulting forms are exaggerated and distorted, at times transformed into a state of abstraction.

By recycling existing magazine pages both the material substance and objective of the image is altered. Thus these beautiful, yet banal and pragmatic images assume a unique significance and become further fetishized, gaining a new and previously unknown meaning. In so doing, Sparagana overrides their purely superficial nature and brings to light an innate truth. These works are replete with lyrical intent, rather than didactic, as Sparagana shifts their identity from pure information to intricate poetry.