Jessey Jansen

Lives and works in Austin, TX, USA

Artist statement

For me, creating has always been a companion, allowing me to make sense of seemingly uncontrolled situations through controlled mediums. Following an emerging artist nomination at the Peninsula Art School, I began to use art as an awareness tool to stimulate civic dialogue and action on the issues of poverty and social mobility; my unique focus eventually led me to Tanzania where I founded Voice of Maasai music and media label. I have always been inclined to pick up some paper to sketch, collage, or write, it flows in my blood. Particularly significant to my developed artistic style are my college years when introduced to printmaking and graphic design. The unequaled value of printmaking is that the artist first just labors over the process and feels as though it is nothing but prepping and cleaning, but then as you start seeing results you gain a better understanding of technique, development, and execution of materials. Printmaking allowed me to derive an appreciation for a thoughtful process; the interplay of symbols and text impressed on my mind a whispering potential for more as I recognized the significance of artists and designers in being influencers and storytellers. Portraying defining moments to challenging paradigms of social mobility, my medium may change, but the goal remains the same, to use art and design as a catalyst for positive social change.

Artwork