Interview
Abi Jameson
Abi Jameson is an award-winning contemporary artist. Her work, inspired by wisdom, inner strength and human connectivity, has been published and exhibited throughout Europe, and is due to exhibit in London in 2023.
In 2013, Abi suffered a life-changing event. She lost sight in one eye and half the sight in other. Upon reflection, she describes this as the moment she lost her sight but gained her artistic passion.
It is evident in her work how this changed the way she sees the world. Colours are brighter and more determined, and messages are stronger. They are a small insight into her world of patterns, random marks, merging foregrounds and backgrounds and missing information shown through the female form, dance and female portrait.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My background training is actually in theater school, prop making, scenic painting and theater production. I loved art as a child and come from a creative family, but it wasn't until I fell in love and moved to France that I took up my brushes full time. My technique and style evolved over my first few years. I attended art classes in all mediums, history of art lessons and the Art school in Bayonne. After working relentlessly for a decade, I found my artistic identity.”
What inspires you most?
“I am inspired by people, life, female beauty, and inner strength. Being partially sighted and unable to see faces and expressions easily, my portraits help me reconnect with people and with my inner happiness and positivity, which I had to rebuild when I lost a lot of my sight. I am also inspired and fascinated greatly by our differences and how we see. I like to think that our differences unite and connect us like the roots of a tree, hence the constant reappearance of nature in my art.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“My themes are ever-evolving. My most recent project, the Calm Within the Chaos series, is a celebration of our inner strength and ability to remain strong and calm, even if everything around us is falling apart. My work typically features themes around inner strength, joy, beauty, positivity, human connection or wisdom, mixed with spontaneity, intuition and conscious decision.
I’m still producing work for my How Do You See series, which is more of a commentary on our differences and mental health. Ultimately, they are messages of hope and strength; a celebration of individuality. My creations saved me, and I hope the viewer can find strength and beauty in my art. I hope it is able to spark positive conversations.”
How would you describe your work?
“I would describe my work as energetic, bold, positive, and very much my heart and soul placed on the canvas. I pour my heart out into every piece. I quite often fall in love with my paintings, and I’m so happy when they find a home. They're like my babies! Is that strange? I don't know.”
“I look for that exceptional expression—that moment in time or composition that encapsulates inner strength, joy, beauty, positivity, human connection or wisdom.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I was obsessed with Edgar Degas’ Ballet Dancers for years, Gustav Klimt, especially his gold period, and Frida Kahlo’s portraits with the flowers in her hair. They have all had a huge influence on my art. I studied the history of art and particularly loved the Impressionists of the 20th century. So much spontaneity and colour! To be honest, I look at so much art every day now as it’s so easy to browse the fantastic work of others.”
What is your creative process like?
"My creative process will often start with a photoshoot of a model, and some ink or watercolor sketching. I often work on my sketch in Photoshop until I have an image I want to paint. Sometimes the theme leads the process. At other times, the process begins and the theme follows.
I normally just have a feeling when the image is working. When I have a strong image, I draw it onto the canvas and start the journey, which is how I think of it.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I believe it’s an artist’s role to do many things. Collectively, artists play a part in questioning everything that is played out on the planet. We question politics, morality, and religion. But artists can also simply bring some much needed calm. joy, humor or energy into a space.
My personal part in all of this is to celebrate who we are through good times and bad times, and to remind the viewer to stop, look, and be in the moment. I hope they lose themselves a bit in the artwork and find a personal connection.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I'm proud to say I was represented by and exhibited with D/A/C Concept in Miami 2020 & 2021.
I was represented by and exhibited in Galerie Sonja Monti in Paris 2021.
I exhibited in Genoa, Italy with Divulgarti, who represented me there.
I am looking forward to having a solo art exhibition on 10th - 14th December 2023 at 54 The Gallery, Shepherds Market, Mayfair, London.
I am in a modern art directory Curatorial Volume 3 by Capsules Books. You can view it here and here.
I have also been featured in Ideal Homes and The World of Interiors.”
