Jacques de Beaufort (Born 1975) received a BA in Art from The University of Virginia and an MFA in Painting from CalArts. An early participant in the now seminal LA Chinatown Art Scene, he has exhibited nationally in solo shows in NY, Los Angeles, and West Palm Beach. Since 2010 de Beaufort has taught Painting and Drawing at Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth, FL. De Beaufort directed the feature film Sanctum and Sacrum and created Unit 1, an alternative art and music space that gave early exposure to many now prominent artist. After a sabbatical from painting to visit and study sacred sites across Asia and the Americas, de Beaufort returned to art making in 2024.

Statement

My paintings explore the unseen forces that shape both the physical world and our inner landscapes. Influenced by 20th century Surrealism, vintage science-Fiction book covers, and 19th-century Romantic painters, I create imaginary vistas where figures shift and transform in dynamic ways. These environments are filled with mercurial energy, suggesting hidden powers that animate the world around us.

At the heart of my work are themes of metamorphoses and inner discovery. Sorcerers and magicians observe or initiate processes of change, protection, and contemplation. Esoteric iconography like the Cosmic Egg or the Eye of Providence reference the Hermetic Tradition in which creativity and imagination are vehicles for the many processes of personal development.As figures morph and evolve in my paintings, they represent the endless potential within us to grow, change, and discover new aspects of ourselves.