My art is… about the psychology of living in urban places and longing for something else: something old and dark. I’m fascinated by the relationship between mythology, technology, ecology and the human unconscious. My art is focused on how the past informs the future. It is symbolic and features a range of archetypes whilst exploring that fine line between good and bad, light and dark, hope and doom.
I use…a range of mediums such as acrylic paint, ink, graphite and sculptural materials. Sculpture and painting are completely different ways of creating. For instance, sculpture is a logical process where you have to figure out exactly how you’re going to construct an object and overcome challenges. Painting and drawing on the other hand is more like tapping into your unconscious: it’s a process of intuition and emotion.
When I work I… get tunnel-vision. Creating is an obsessive tendency and it can override everything else at times. For me it’s also a thinking process. When you spend all that time alone focused on the one task you can really drill down into some interesting and complex ideas.
Perth’s not so bad because… there’s still a chance you can contribute to the development of the city. There’s room to move and a supportive community of artists and musicians who really want to see Perth’s culture grow and mature.
Over the next year I’m… focusing on installation based work, so that I can create strange spaces and optical illusions that challenge perceptions.
I think that…art should be for all, and not locked away in pristine galleries. Art has the potential to influence positive social change. I really enjoy art that is in the public sphere and that’s why I’ve contributed to a few murals around Perth. I would like to continue working on public art and build my practice so that it includes outdoors sculptural pieces.
Current show…is at the Moon Exhibits. The first in a series of regular exhibitions in The Moon’s courtyard by local Perth artists. The Moon Café on William street and features a range of paintings, drawings and prints.
Tags: acrylic paint, art, graphite, ink, installation, Jenn Garland, sculptural materials, The Moon Cafe
Now THAT IS what I’d deem an interesting position on things. What I would advise perhaps is talking to other people actively involved in the scene and bring to day any other points of view and then update or create a new article for us to stew over. Hopefully you’ll take my ideas, I’m looking forward to it! Try to cover off on some graffiti characters as well if you can, they’re everywhere at the moment.
Beautiful Jenn, I’m sad I missed your exhibition. You are a very talented lady.