[CASSIDY JACKSON]
Painter Cassidy Jackson took part in the new series of the TANI collection. You can read this content to get to know Cassidy Jackson better. ☻ ☻ ☻
1.) Could you briefly tell us about yourself?
1.) Could you briefly tell us about yourself?
1.) Could you briefly tell us about yourself?
I’m Cassidy Jackson a contemporary artist from Thirroul, Australia, exploring expressionist and figurative styles, and drawing from my life experiences through an abstract lens. With a background in theatre, I approach my work by using my body as my instrument, creating movement through emotion and bold pigments.
I’m Cassidy Jackson a contemporary artist from Thirroul, Australia, exploring expressionist and figurative styles, and drawing from my life experiences through an abstract lens. With a background in theatre, I approach my work by using my body as my instrument, creating movement through emotion and bold pigments.
2.) ‘’Abstraction’’ and ‘’Expressionism’’ seem like a form of meditation for you. What are the elements that trigger this flow state? Do these moments have special rituals?
2.) ‘’Abstraction’’ and ‘’Expressionism’’ seem like a form of meditation for you. What are the elements that trigger this flow state? Do these moments have special rituals?
2.) ‘’Abstraction’’ and ‘’Expressionism’’ seem like a form of meditation for you. What are the elements that trigger this flow state? Do these moments have special rituals?
Music is an important element of the process for me. When I’m in the studio, it’s just me and my work, and the rest of the world becomes quiet. It’s more like a natural wave of energy that slowly builds. The days when I’m completely present with my work and hours go by without thinking about anything else are the most fulfilling because it becomes a moving mediation, and the music is the metronome that keeps the rhythm flowing.
Music is an important element of the process for me. When I’m in the studio, it’s just me and my work, and the rest of the world becomes quiet. It’s more like a natural wave of energy that slowly builds. The days when I’m completely present with my work and hours go by without thinking about anything else are the most fulfilling because it becomes a moving mediation, and the music is the metronome that keeps the rhythm flowing.
3.) How does living in on Bundajlung land influence your artistic practice? How does nature echo in your works?
3.) How does living in on Bundajlung land influence your artistic practice? How does nature echo in your works?
3.) How does living in on Bundajlung land influence your artistic practice? How does nature echo in your works?
The hills and the ocean are so closely connected here, it feels like a mystical land from an old fairytale. I love the idea of creating a world of my own where I can live vicariously through my figures, and bring that magic into a tangible form. I’m forever inspired by the textures and colours of Bundajlung land.
The hills and the ocean are so closely connected here, it feels like a mystical land from an old fairytale. I love the idea of creating a world of my own where I can live vicariously through my figures, and bring that magic into a tangible form. I’m forever inspired by the textures and colours of Bundajlung land.
4.) You held your first exhibition at the age of 15. What major transformations have occurred in your artistic approach since then?
4.) You held your first exhibition at the age of 15. What major transformations have occurred in your artistic approach since then?
4.) You held your first exhibition at the age of 15. What major transformations have occurred in your artistic approach since then?
I enjoy reflecting on that time of my art practice because it was so free. I was always doodling in my school books, and my work was definitely reminiscent of my environment at the time; a blend of teenage angst and tumblr-esk nostalgia. I feel like my work has become more intentional as I’ve grown, and naturally has matured as I have, although I do still try to let it remain playful and authentic to how I am feeling in the moment, which hasn’t really changed.
I enjoy reflecting on that time of my art practice because it was so free. I was always doodling in my school books, and my work was definitely reminiscent of my environment at the time; a blend of teenage angst and tumblr-esk nostalgia. I feel like my work has become more intentional as I’ve grown, and naturally has matured as I have, although I do still try to let it remain playful and authentic to how I am feeling in the moment, which hasn’t really changed.
5.) If a music playlist were to accompany your art, what kind of genre would it be made of?
5.) If a music playlist were to accompany your art, what kind of genre would it be made of?
5.) If a music playlist were to accompany your art, what kind of genre would it be made of?
Neo-soul, always.
Neo-soul, always.
6.) When designing your figures, do you draw inspiration from a particular person or character? Or do they completely emerge from your imagination?
6.) When designing your figures, do you draw inspiration from a particular person or character? Or do they completely emerge from your imagination?
6.) When designing your figures, do you draw inspiration from a particular person or character? Or do they completely emerge from your imagination?
I have a little fashion-photography shrine that I draw inspiration from, but usually I free-hand all of my figures. To me it doesn’t necessarily represent a character but rather a symbol of femininity.
I have a little fashion-photography shrine that I draw inspiration from, but usually I free-hand all of my figures. To me it doesn’t necessarily represent a character but rather a symbol of femininity.
7.) During your Transpersonal Art Therapy training, did you learn any theories or techniques that directly inspired your artistic practice? If so, what kind of change did this create?
I’ve never been someone who learned in a talking or lecture environment, and so Art Therapy has been an invaluable tool in my self-expression. Art Therapy supported me in diversifying my art, and creating work that’s less conceptual and more abstracted, which is a very somatic process… letting energy move through the body and onto a canvas like a stream of consciousness… and from that learning I can now harmonise both styles together.
7.) During your Transpersonal Art Therapy training, did you learn any theories or techniques that directly inspired your artistic practice? If so, what kind of change did this create?
I’ve never been someone who learned in a talking or lecture environment, and so Art Therapy has been an invaluable tool in my self-expression. Art Therapy supported me in diversifying my art, and creating work that’s less conceptual and more abstracted, which is a very somatic process… letting energy move through the body and onto a canvas like a stream of consciousness… and from that learning I can now harmonise both styles together.
8.) When depicting women in a ‘resting state,’ which parts of their stories do you focus on?
8.) When depicting women in a ‘resting state,’ which parts of their stories do you focus on?
The feminine form is so graceful and elegant, and I think there’s something in our evolution that recognises that when we study the history of capturing nude bodies in art… be that sculpture, painting or any other medium. Being a very ‘type A’ personality myself, and someone who thrives in structure and order, having these bodies around me is calming. I focus on women in a restful state because I think as women we put far too much pressure on ourselves to always be productive, which isn’t as nature intended. The story I want to tell is an emphasis on remaining gentle in life’s inherent messiness. I know that if I didn’t have the inclosure of my studio for me to be messy and chaotic it would spill into my everyday life, and these figures are a reminder to just ‘be’.
The feminine form is so graceful and elegant, and I think there’s something in our evolution that recognises that when we study the history of capturing nude bodies in art… be that sculpture, painting or any other medium. Being a very ‘type A’ personality myself, and someone who thrives in structure and order, having these bodies around me is calming. I focus on women in a restful state because I think as women we put far too much pressure on ourselves to always be productive, which isn’t as nature intended. The story I want to tell is an emphasis on remaining gentle in life’s inherent messiness. I know that if I didn’t have the inclosure of my studio for me to be messy and chaotic it would spill into my everyday life, and these figures are a reminder to just ‘be’.
9.) In this collection, we would like you to leave a sentence as a trace. Could you share your final sentence with us?
9.) In this collection, we would like you to leave a sentence as a trace. Could you share your final sentence with us?
Creativity needs to breath and evolve like any living thing, it’s a playful journey and shouldn’t be defined by any narrow category or limitation, and allowing myself to be explorative has been the most fulfilling and healing experience.
Creativity needs to breath and evolve like any living thing, it’s a playful journey and shouldn’t be defined by any narrow category or limitation, and allowing myself to be explorative has been the most fulfilling and healing experience.
