Jess (Collins) | Hosfelt Gallery

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Overview

Greyscale; An elderly white man sits in a chair and smiles at the camera in a room full of books, paintings and other decorations

Jess in his home in San Francisco, 1994; Photo by Leo Holub

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Jess (Burgess Franklin Collins) was born in Long Beach, California in 1923 and died in San Francisco in 2004. His 50-year art-making practice centered on appropriation, and included collage, painting, drawing, assemblage and poetry. Synthesizing literature, mythology and the language and images of popular culture, he transformed the everyday into fantastical narratives, creating one of the most original bodies of work to come out of the American 20th Century.

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Works

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Jess (Collins)
The Visitation (II), 1955
oil on canvas in the artist's frame
26 x 24 in
86.4 x 55.9 cm

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Jess (Collins)
One of the Norns Is Dead, 1955/71
oil on canvas in artist's frame
33 1/4 x 47 1/4 in
84.5 x 120 cm
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Jess (Collins)
Sea Cove, 1952
oil on canvas in artist's velvet wrapped frame
frame 19 1/2 x 25 1/2 in / 49.5 x 64.8 cm
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Jess (Collins)
Robert Weaving, 1953
handmade oil and wax crayon on paper
10 x 12 in
25.4 x 30.5 cm

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%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EJess%20%28Collins%29%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3ERobert%20Weaving%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1953%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Ehandmade%20oil%20and%20wax%20crayon%20on%20paper%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E10%20x%2012%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A25.4%20x%2030.5%20cm%3C/div%3E
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Jess (Collins)
Elegante, 1952
oil pastel on paper
12 1/2 x 7 1/2 in
31.8 x 19.1 cm

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%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EJess%20%28Collins%29%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EElegante%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1952%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20pastel%20on%20paper%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E12%201/2%20x%207%201/2%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A31.8%20x%2019.1%20cm%3C/div%3E
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Jess (Collins)
Prison Isle, 1954
oil on canvas on board in artist's frame
frame 13 x 17 in / 33 x 43.2 cm
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Jess (Collins)
Song of the Borderguard, c. 1955
ink on paper
13 x 10 1/2 in
33 x 26.7 cm

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%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EJess%20%28Collins%29%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3ESong%20of%20the%20Borderguard%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3Ec.%201955%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eink%20on%20paper%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E13%20x%2010%201/2%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A33%20x%2026.7%20cm%3C/div%3E
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Jess (Collins)
Book Cover for Norma Cole's Mars, 1993
pasteup
8 1/2 x 12 3/4 in
21.6 x 32.4 cm

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%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EJess%20%28Collins%29%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EBook%20Cover%20for%20Norma%20Cole%27s%20Mars%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1993%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Epasteup%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E8%201/2%20x%2012%203/4%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A21.6%20x%2032.4%20cm%3C/div%3E
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Jess (Collins)
Untitled (with Joan Crawford Head), 1952-53
pasteup
18 x 23 1/2 in
45.7 x 59.7 cm

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%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EJess%20%28Collins%29%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EUntitled%20%28with%20Joan%20Crawford%20Head%29%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1952-53%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Epasteup%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E18%20x%2023%201/2%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A45.7%20x%2059.7%20cm%3C/div%3E
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Jess (Collins)
Cover for Credences 1, 1974
pasteup
9 x 14 in
22.9 x 35.6 cm

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%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EJess%20%28Collins%29%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3ECover%20for%20Credences%201%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1974%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Epasteup%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E9%20x%2014%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A22.9%20x%2035.6%20cm%3C/div%3E
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Jess (Collins)
A Break-Down Make-Up of the Hole in the World, 1950s
ink, handmade oil and wax crayon, and pasteup on paperboard (2)
overall 10 x 16 1/2 in / 25.4 x 41.9 cm

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%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EJess%20%28Collins%29%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EA%20Break-Down%20Make-Up%20of%20the%20Hole%20in%20the%20World%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1950s%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eink%2C%20handmade%20oil%20and%20wax%20crayon%2C%20and%20pasteup%20on%20paperboard%20%282%29%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3Eoverall%2010%20x%2016%201/2%20in%20/%2025.4%20x%2041.9%20cm%3C/div%3E
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Jess (Collins)
Boob #1, 1952
pasteup
12 3/4 x 16 1/2 in
32.4 x 41.9 cm

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%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EJess%20%28Collins%29%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EBoob%20%231%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1952%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Epasteup%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E12%203/4%20x%2016%201/2%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A32.4%20x%2041.9%20cm%3C/div%3E
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Jess (Collins)
Untitled (Pooh Figure), 1953
collage
17 1/2 x 23 1/2 in
44.5 x 59.7 cm

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%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EJess%20%28Collins%29%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EUntitled%20%28Pooh%20Figure%29%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1953%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Ecollage%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E17%201/2%20x%2023%201/2%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A44.5%20x%2059.7%20cm%3C/div%3E
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Jess (Collins)
A Cryogenic Consideration: Or. Sounding One Horn of the Dilemma (Winter), 1980
paper and push-pin on board over plywood
48 x 72 in
121.9 x 182.9 cm

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%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EJess%20%28Collins%29%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EA%20Cryogenic%20Consideration%3A%20Or.%20Sounding%20One%20Horn%20of%20the%20Dilemma%20%28Winter%29%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1980%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Epaper%20and%20push-pin%20on%20board%20over%20plywood%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E48%20x%2072%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A121.9%20x%20182.9%20cm%3C/div%3E
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Jess (Collins)
Mystic Writing #9, 1955
handmade oil and wax crayon on paper
11 1/2 x 11 1/4 in
29.2 x 28.6 cm

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%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EJess%20%28Collins%29%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EMystic%20Writing%20%239%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1955%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Ehandmade%20oil%20and%20wax%20crayon%20on%20paper%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E11%201/2%20x%2011%201/4%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A29.2%20x%2028.6%20cm%3C/div%3E
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Jess (Collins)
Untitled (Car and Male Nude), circa 1962-1969
pasteup
13 1/2 x 9 in
34.3 x 22.9 cm
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Jess (Collins)
Cover for Credences 3, 1975
pasteup
8 1/2 x 14 in
21.6 x 35.6 cm

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%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EJess%20%28Collins%29%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3ECover%20for%20Credences%203%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1975%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Epasteup%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E8%201/2%20x%2014%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A21.6%20x%2035.6%20cm%3C/div%3E
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Jess (Collins)
Self-Portrait, early 1950s
handmade oil and wax crayon on paper in artist's frame
image 12 x 9 in / 30.5 x 22.9 cm
frame 20 x 16 1/2 in / 50.8 x 41.9 cm
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Jess (Collins)
Meadow Sweet, n.d.
handmade oil and wax crayon on paperboard in artist's frame
6 1/2 x 4 1/4 in
16.5 x 10.8 cm
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Jess (Collins)
Share a Party Line?, n.d.
pasteup
10 3/4 x 8 1/2 in
27.3 x 21.6 cm

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%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EJess%20%28Collins%29%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EShare%20a%20Party%20Line%3F%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3En.d.%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Epasteup%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E10%203/4%20x%208%201/2%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A27.3%20x%2021.6%20cm%3C/div%3E
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Jess (Collins)
Assembly Lamp Seven, 1963
mixed media assemblage
29 x 18 x 18 in
73.7 x 45.7 x 45.7 cm

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%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EJess%20%28Collins%29%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EAssembly%20Lamp%20Seven%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1963%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Emixed%20media%20assemblage%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E29%20x%2018%20x%2018%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A73.7%20x%2045.7%20x%2045.7%20cm%3C/div%3E
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Jess (Collins)
Mystic Writing XI, 1955
handmade oil and wax crayon on paper
11 x 10 in
27.9 x 25.4 cm

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%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EJess%20%28Collins%29%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EMystic%20Writing%20XI%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1955%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Ehandmade%20oil%20and%20wax%20crayon%20on%20paper%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E11%20x%2010%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A27.9%20x%2025.4%20cm%3C/div%3E
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Jess (Collins)
Emblems for Robert Duncan II: #6, "To open Night's eye that sleeps in what we know by Day", 1989
pasteup
6 x 5 3/4 in
15.2 x 14.6 cm

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%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EJess%20%28Collins%29%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EEmblems%20for%20Robert%20Duncan%20II%3A%20%236%2C%20%22To%20open%20Night%27s%20eye%20that%20sleeps%20in%20what%20we%20know%20by%20Day%22%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E1989%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Epasteup%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E6%20x%205%203/4%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A15.2%20x%2014.6%20cm%3C/div%3E

Exhibitions

Bruce Conner + Jess
The Virtue of Uncertainty 5 Sep - 14 Oct 2023
Reception: Saturday September 9, 3-5pm, with a curatorial tour at 3pm Two of the most original and broad-ranging 20th century American artists — Bruce Conner (1933-2008) and Jess (1923-2004) — are brought together in a presentation of more than 60 artworks to call attention to common, repeating motifs and intentions...
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Press

Squarecylinder on The Virtue of Uncertainty
Mark Van Proyen, Squarecylinder.com, September 21, 2023

News

HG Magazine Issue no. 41
October 12, 2023
In Norse mythology, Norns are three maiden giants who tend the sacred ash tree at the center of the Cosmos, nourishing it with water and...
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Events

Art Fairs

Fog Design + Art 2025
23 - 26 Jan 2025
Artwork by San Francisco masters Bruce Conner, Jay DeFeo, Jess (Burgess Collins), and Wayne Thiebaud juxtaposed with works by contemporary artists Mansur Nurullah, Jutta Haeckel, Anoka Faruqee, Ricki Dwyer Alexandre...
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