JEFF MUSSER is a conceptual artist based in Sacramento, California, whose work explores race, privilege, and historical narratives of racism in the United States. Unlike many artists who approach these themes from personal experiences of marginalization, Musser interrogates them from the position of a white artist. His work engages with the complex ways race has been constructed and reinforced in American society, critically examining his own privilege while drawing from visual languages often employed by artists of color. Through layered imagery Musser invites viewers into an ongoing conversation about race, identity, and power.
Musser earned his BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and, like many artists, navigated the tension between commercial work and personal creative practice early in his career. His first job post-graduation—designing Happy Meals for a now-defunct ad agency—paid well but left him artistically unfulfilled. A sudden layoff in 2002 became a turning point, prompting him to seek financial stability outside of creative industries and fully dedicate himself to his artistic vision. While his painting style has evolved over the years, portraiture and narrative figurative painting have remained at the core of his practice.
His career includes multiple solo exhibitions, and participation in over 50 group exhibitions worldwide. Notable venues include Vox (São Paulo, 2022), Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art – University of Nevada Las Vegas (2021), Coffman Gallery – University of Minnesota (2021), The Delaware Contemporary (2020), Manetti Shrem Museum of Art at UC Davis (2012 & 2008), Garage Art Space (Beijing, 2017), Luhring Augustine (New York, 2014), and The Siena Art Institute (Italy, 2011). His dedication to his craft has been recognized through numerous grants and residencies, including awards from The Puffin Foundation (2022), The James Irving Foundation (2012), and a recent residency at Château Bouthonvilliers (Paris, 2023).
Through his work, Musser confronts the histories embedded within race and representation, using art as a platform for self-reflection and broader societal critique.
See more of Musser’s work on his website and IG Account.
