For most of his works Mapes deconstructs the source image literally and figuratively and reconstructs the representation of an original painting as a collection of hundreds of individual parts. Beyond prints of the actual painting, Mapes incorporates factual and fictionalized content utilizing entomological and forensic approaches. This content includes genealogy info, costume jewelry, clothing fragments, fabric samples, dental X-rays, fingerprints, hair samples, paint samples and additional photos of human subjects.

The incorporation of what Mapes terms as 'biographical DNA' becomes a unique reinterpretation of the original painted subject. When examined individually, these parts inspire speculation. Collectively, they form a representation of the original painted subject.

Mapes had several solo and group exhibitions in galleries and museums in the USA and around the world, e.g. ‘Anatomy of the Muse’, Opera Gallery, Hong Kong, ‘Cut-Copy-Paste’, Beers Contemporary, London. His works can be found in private and public collections.

Mapes holds a BFA and MFA from the University of Illinois. He lives and works in the greater New York area, USA.

Education

1984 BFA from the University of Illinois
1992 MFA from the University of Illinois

Solo exhibitions (selected)

2017   "62 Collections", Krause Gallery, NYC
2015   "Dutch Glory", NL=US, Rotterdam 
2015   "Anatomy of the Muse", Opera Gallery, Hong Kong
2014   Yellowstone Art Museum, Verenigde Staten
2013    Schoolhouse Gallery, North Salem, NY
2009    Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL
2008    FlexSpace, Urbana, IL
2008    Richland College, Decatur, IL

Group Exhibitions (selected)

2019  "Afflatus", 5-50 Gallery, NYC
2019  "Represented Past", Sotheby’s IOA, NYC
2017  “Art in Embassies", The Hague NL
2015  "Realisme", Amsterdam NL
2014  "Revisiting the Golden Age",Pulchri Studio,The Hague NL
2014 "Cut-Copy-Paste", Beers Contemporary, London
2014  Ampelhaus, Berlin
2014  “Face to Face, Wall to Wall”, Yellowstone Art Museum, Billings, MT
2013  KunstRAI, Amsterdam NL
2013  Victorious, Chelsea NYC
2012  We Find Our Way - Parlor Gallery, Asbury Park, NJ
2011  Outsiders & Objects - Parlor Gallery, Asbury Park, NJ
2011  Terrible Twos - Parlor Gallery, Asbury Park, NJ

Assignments

2018  Q|O Amsterdam (hotel), NL 
2018  Proto Magazine (Mass General Hospital)
2016  Royal Caribbean, Harmony of the Seas ship
2016  Holland America Line, Koningsdam ship
2015  New York Times, Sunday Magazine

Collections