Draft:Jumper Maybach

Ben Earl Workman (born August 06, 1963), known by his professional name, Jumper Maybach, is an American abstract expressionist artist and painter known for his vibrant paintings. Bold colors, sweeping brushstrokes, and abstract forms characterize his work.

Biography

Early life

Maybach was born on August 06, 1963, in Corpus Christi, Texas, and moved to Houston when he was 13. Maybach,  Systems Server Administrator, Virtualization Specialist for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He worked at the VA for 37 years before leaving after being sexually harassed there and won a lawsuit regarding those claims.

Maybach said he chose his first name, Jumper, because his grandfather, Earl Readdy, gave him that nickname when he was three because he used to jump around a lot. He got the Maybach part from the family of Wilhelm Maybach, a famous German engine designer who did some early work for Mercedes-Benz.

Career

Maybach started his art career in 2010. His first exhibition was for Art Dubai in 2013 as a VIP guest, then he exhibited 39 large-scale works in Venice, Italy at the Villa Pisani National Museum. He later exhibited in Venice, Italy, Barcelona, and The Netherlands, showcasing a series of works that also included a screening of the trailer for his documentary, “The Jumper Maybach Story.” This exhibition led to further opportunities, including showcases at the Galerie du Louvre in Paris, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and the Venice Biennale.

In 2022, Maybach partnered with the Trevor Project, the world’s most significant suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ youth. As part of this partnership, Maybach donated a portion of sales from items sold through his website for February.

In the same year, he also formed new partnerships with several brands. These partnerships have led to the production of Jumper Maybach's product lines.

His works are featured in various collections worldwide, and he continues to exhibit in renowned art spaces and art fairs. In 2023 and 2024, Maybach's works were showcased in several notable exhibitions, including the Reno Tahoe International Art Show, the Hampton Fine Art Fair in Southampton, New York and Art Miami in Miami, Florida.

Advocacy and accolades

Maybach advocates for the LGBTQ community and various social causes. He has received numerous awards and accolades for his work, including being chosen as the Official Artist of Pride in Houston, Texas, and Richmond, Virginia. Maybach remains steadfast in his financial and artistic contributions to various charities, including GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, and the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

Art style

Maybach’s works have been compared to those of Jackson Pollock, with Art Dubai dubbing him "The 21st Century Jackson Pollock."  Maybach has developed his own style that speaks the profound expression of both tragedy and healing that is highly resonant and it’s sweeping beauty is undeniable. His paintings often convey political concepts and social commentary with subversive deftness, offering a juxtaposition between abstraction and literal representation. Maybach's paintings, such as "Can't Fix Stupid," "Jumper's Hug Constellation," and "The Cotton Candy Series," are characterized by bold colors, sweeping brushstrokes, and abstract forms, reflecting his innermost emotions and experiences.     

In 2023, Maybach collaborated with SpeedPro, a graphics and printing solutions providing company, to introduce limited edition Mercedes-Benz cars adorned with Maybach’s captivating original artwork in the form of unique vehicle wraps.

In 2024, Maybach installed his second large-scale site-specific artwork in Washington, D.C. . This artwork, a 12-panel polyptych, was engineered to fit the curve of the building’s rotunda. His first D.C. piece, a diptych, is installed at the historic Evening Star Building.