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ABOUT

Xanthe’ Jackson is an award-winning Durban-based contemporary abstract artist who specializes in multidisciplinary fine art practice. Her visual interests are invested in texture & exploring the limitations of mediums, resulting in large complex abstract works building depth through line, shape, and colour. Her works are often distinguishable by her meticulous attention to detail, refine line, and movement.

Xanthe’ Jackson Art Studio otherwise known as THE STUDIO is the home base for the independent artist, based in Glenwood. Offering client commissions, creative and interior consulting, as well as private multidisciplinary art classes tailored to the client both in traditional and contemporary practice.

CREATIVE PROCESS

My work is currently inspired by the hairline fractures and flaws of our society which have been highlighted by the COVID pandemic. I look at ‘social-scapes’, in other words, how each social landscape is playing out during this time. I interpret what I see and feel into an abstract work of art, trying desperately to stay as objective as possible, though I almost always find that I make a subjective stand based on my own feelings towards what’s being said or done. This observation, frustration, and reaction becomes the springboard for a new piece.

ARTWORKS : COMPLETED

I find pleasure and comfort in the labour and the impulsivity of acting on my response, mixing mediums where necessary while in the constant balancing act of constraint and play. My work is process driven. The journey to the finished product is what I’m after, not necessarily the idea, and the artwork is the byproduct of my own coping process. Pushing the medium where possible, I use my work as a crutch to process what I perceive that we, as society within the current constraints of life, may see and feel on a daily basis.

Instagram
Every day in the art room is a new experience. In studio the students have access to a wide range of tools and equipment. It all starts with an idea... Just over a year ago I walked into a classroom as the new Visual Arts Educator @glenwoodhighschool. Towards the end of last year I decided to pull away from social media and to realign my focus on my career. I hit a slump in my practice and my motivation for producing art dwindled. "The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance, and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning" ~ Oprah Winfrey Some behind the scene shots from the installation of my work An Insignificant Moment, Suspended in Time. The piece took a night and most of the next day to set up. The banner when stretched out spaned the length of 5m, needless to say, there were teething problems and a few challenges to overcome. But with the help of my partner and friends, we finally got the sculpture up and suspended. Like magic, it immediately, silently, and gracefully started moving. The artwork stayed up for 4-5 days, I needed to make sure the structure of the work remained in tact and the cables held against the weight and movement. From the Ashes 1-4 I am proud to announce that this year I will be participating in the SculptX 2021, alongside some of the most incredible artists and friends 🤗💫. Today marks my first day of self employment and I am both filled with excitement and concern for the future. My heart is broken at all the devastation around us, everything that was once familiar has been destroyed...as if COVID wasn't enough - YOU do this? Take from your brother or sister, friend, neighbours, gogo, aunty or uncle?

My Instagram page acts as an archive of my creative process, most projects are on there from inception to the finished product. For more information on my completed works please browse artworks on Facebook and my exhibitions.

Xanthe’ has been selected as the first prize winner of the New Now Next Emerging Artist Awards 2020-21 hosted by Galerie Noko and will be attending a fully funded artist residency in Gqeberha (Port Elizebeth) later this year. Where she will be working on and creating a new body of work towards a 3 man exhibition in November 2021.

Gallery Representation: Galerie Noko