ROARING FORK BROADCASTING COMPANY
The Roaring Fork Valley is a classic example of how the modern West collides with the old West. Aspen has become a beacon of affluence, attracting those who want to enjoy mountain beauty along with the sophistication of modern life — great dining, the best art and culture, the most luxurious hotels.
Out of that culture has emerged an idealization of the modern cowboy. The hats and jackets that tourists buy on the streets of Aspen bear little resemblance to the headwear and garments worn by modern-day cowboys.
Further down the valley, real authentic cowboy culture still exists and thrives. The rugged remnants of Western heritage remain embedded in the very soil of the RFV.
The cowboys who participate in the Snowmass Rodeo are not actors brought in from central casting to wrangle horses. They are real cowboys, most of whom live close to the rodeo grounds.
“Gilded West,” the new exhibit at the Aspen Collective featuring the work of local artists Jeff Stevens and Cole Smith, examines the dichotomy between authenticity and idealization in cowboy culture. The show will be on display until June 16.
“This exhibit brings attention to a lifestyle often overlooked yet deeply rooted in tradition,” said DJ Watkins, owner and curator of the Aspen Collective, the art gallery located in the Wheeler Opera House building. “This work peels back the layers of romanticized nostalgia to reveal the untold stories of those who still live by the land.
“Western culture has taken on a life of its own in Aspen and these talented local artists are creating incredible work on the myth and ethos of what it means to be a cowboy or cowgirl today,” he said.
Jeff Stevens’ “The Original” brings the spirit of free and abstract collage into the world of modern cowboy culture. His work is being displayed as part of the show “Gilded West” at the Aspen Collective through June 16.
Courtesy image
Stevens was born in Aspen and grew up in the valley. He graduated from Basalt High School in 2000. At the age of 19, he started doing street art and pop-up shows in Los Angeles.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in art and design from Woodbury University in 2007, he embarked upon a career in entertainment advertising. Some of his print work has been the force behind major entertainment marketing campaigns, including “Star Wars,” “The Hunger Games” and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Stevens’ work has been exhibited in galleries in Tokyo, Los Angeles and Denver, as well as locally in Aspen, Basalt and Carbondale. Out of his work in design and advertising a spirit for free and abstract collage emerged. Stevens’ art blends these two foundations. By deconstructing found imagery, original photography and painted elements, the work seeks to redefine the language of art direction into new stories and content.
“I didn’t really realize it before but while exploring ideas for this show I was struck by how commercialized and commodified ‘Cowboy Culture’ has become,” Stevens said. “It’s obvious now, especially in the local area, how the myth, lifestyle and archetype of the cowboy has become a banner for the wealthy and influential to emulate. The cowboy/cowgirl icon on the surface is bold and strong but underneath there is conflict and turbulence.”
Stevens said showing his works in his hometown has pushed him to create his best pieces.
“Creating work that’s going to be shown in your hometown adds another level of dimension,” he said. “It’s more of a challenge and I think it brings out the best art. I’m really excited for the space and being included as a small part of the history of that building.
Smith is currently based in Aspen. He is a multimedia artist whose artworks reflect what it’s like to grow up and live in Colorado. His work often embodies the ideology of the outlaw western gunslinger, past and present.
In the early stages of his life, he grew up painting illustrations on snowboards and honed the idea of creating something out of whatever objects were lying around, often building things in his treehouse.
He visited ghost towns as a kid and took road trips across the American West. He was heavily inspired by whatever he came across on the road and currently cultivates his asphalt cowboy upbringing and the wear-and-tear outdoor culture of growing up in Colorado.
Smith said his inspiration comes mostly from the more quiet subtle moments in life.
“My art is inspired by the beauty found in everyday life, especially in places far removed from the art world,” he said. “Living in the mountains, I’m drawn to the simplicity and authenticity of mountain life, capturing its quiet, often overlooked moments to showcase a beauty that feels real and grounded. My recent body of work is rooted in personal memory and place, blending documentary imagery with a more interpretive approach.”
Smith said showing in his hometown, particularly at the Aspen Collective, is an exciting proposition.
“Having attended numerous shows at the Wheeler Opera House with my parents growing up, this opportunity feels particularly meaningful. I’m grateful to be a part of DJ’s vision for the gallery and to contribute to his ongoing journey.”
Smith said he hopes viewers of his show will have their own unique interpretation of his work.
“My goal is to have the viewer feel connected in a personal way outside of what my intentions were with the artwork,” Smith said. “I hope the viewer can discover something that personally resonates with them in some way that is memorable, whether it’s good or bad. I want them to take a step back from the fast world we live in and enjoy the unnoticed things in our day to day lives.”