Jessica Michelle Le Roux visual artist
"Creating is a part of the way I know how to exist. For me, its an integral reflection of daily experience, observation and growth."
artist statement
South African contemporary
visual artist
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I seek to bring awareness towards our generational perspectives, thought patterns, geographical socio-political influences and our collective responsibility in nurturing the co-existence of humankind within the natural world.
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"I am a South African sculptor and interdisciplinary artist whose practice queries preconceived worldviews, highlighting the butterfly effects consequences. In doing so, I seek to bring awareness towards generational perspectives, set thought patterns, and the individuals role within our collective impact in society and on the earth in light of harmony and preservation. In practice I create two-dimensional backdrops my three-dimensional works which cross-pollinate engagement intentions.
As an artist, I hold an enduring fascination with the definition of a matrix. The secondary pictures in the layered works often show how we would form if the details of the primary image would reform with greater coherence. I believe the interest is influenced by my roots in raw post-apartheid upbringing and in being a part of the generation crossing over from books to countless digital knowledge bases. I describe my work as exploring the journey of knowledge and understanding through experiences by depicting scopes of realities, impressions and interactions through observations in the quiet spaces of the mind.
Many of the depictions deal with impressionistic representations of the archetypes of human emotion and existence. In addition, I seek to reflect and engage with the formulations and shaping of worldviews by considering socio-political landscapes, geographics, past and present influences. Iconic of my practice the use of is negative space, impressionistic expressions of emotion and the interdisciplinary approach. Atmospheric sceneries are created to invoke connections and reveal our footprints in the natural world. I craft a relation with text as the entry point in my practice by embedding text within art, creating virtual layers or creating a window in the titles of artworks."
artistIC BACKGROUND
Brief overview of the
artist's roots.
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I have always been intrigued by visual dialogue and the role art plays in society, which naturally directed my studies. I graduated in 2007 having obtained a BA at Tshwane University of technology. I was born in 1989 in Modimolle and have resided in Limpopo, Gauteng, The Western Cape, the Karoo and once again returned to the Western Cape where my family currently lives.
My career has been enabled through practicing as an artist, facilitating art workshops, managing galleries and art consulting for both corporate and private collections.
artistIC MEDIA
interdisciplinary approach
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Interdisciplinary: integrating methods and knowledge from different disciplines by utilising a genuine synthesis of approaches. I find the purpose of my practice often transcends in building up layers of combined media processes within bodies of work. For example, digital collage is developed from originals and selective mixed media materials are utilised in originals. In addition, I often embellish ceramic work with non-traditional materials and make use of unusual patinas in my bronze finishes. Ultimately, I create two-dimensional backdrops for my three-dimensional work, allowing me to shape environments and immerse a space with an experience through interactions, technology and installations.
what i CREATE
The process of interdisciplinary art making is the manner in which I create across disciplines. The following are the themes and media which enable my practice. Two-dimensional works form the backdrops for my three-dimensional work.
Figurative sculpture
Many of my depictions deal with trying to represent archetypes of human emotion and existence, reflecting on the ‘worldview’ by considering our surrounds, influences and the patterns we find instiled within society and our direct environments. Much of my work is created within a calculated relation between two-dimensional and three-dimensional facets. I have an enduring fascination with the definition of a matrix. The secondary pictures in my layered works often show how we would form if the details of the primary image would reform with greater coherence. In essence, my work explores the journey of knowledge by depicting scopes of reality, observations and experiences in the quiet, thoughtful spaces of the mind.
Atmospheric natural world
It is so interesting to hear of varied art interpretations as the brain naturally wants to make sense of and identify with what is being viewed based on the individuals life experiences and understanding. Art withholds an uncanny ability to transport the mind to a different headspace. For me, impressions of the natural world enable this experience in a manner, unlike any other. Human existance is subtly portrayed in the landscapes depicted through silhouttes , road signs text or trails to emphasise the vastness, impact and scale of our existence.
collage
In my practice, digital collage enables the conceptual framework to speak strongly, facets within each piece build up like layers of memory triggers and nostalgia as the sense of a experience is captured. I work with details and textures documented in my original artworks, historical archives, clippings and bits and bobs horded over the years.
Artist Biography
Jessica Michelle Le Roux (b 1989) is a South African sculptor and interdisciplinary artist. She obtained her BA at the Tshwane University of Technology in 2010, majoring in sculpture and printed image. Her disciplines feed off of one another as Jess frequently crafts a relation
between planes and the facets within the environments she creates.
Her work queries preconceived world views and highlights the consequence of the butterfly effect. In doing so, Jess seeks to bring awareness to our generational perspectives, thought patterns, and our collective impact in the world. Iconic of the artist's work is her use of negative space, how the beings depicted are grounded, and her vibrant use of textures and colours across disciplines.
Jess's work resides in corporate and private collections, both locally and internationally. In February 2020, Jess was delighted to showcase with AVA Gallery at Investec Cape Town Art Fair. In addition, the artist's work has featured in Sasol New Signatures, Thami Mnyele, and Absa L'Ateliers Art Awards finalist selections. Currently, Jess is working towards a body of work in bronze titled the Senses, and an international collaborative project, Revolve:R, which will result in a publication. Aside from her art practice, Jess is actively involved in projects and arts initiatives.
