Interview
Jan Corcoran
Jan Corcoran is a contemporary artist who works in mixed media, oils, and acrylics. Working from observation, memory and imagination, Corcoran finds a rhythm with the materials that allows her to give free rein to those internal forces.
Jan was born in Kimberly, British Columbia, Canada, and is now living in the city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in the heart of the Canadian prairies.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I am a Canadian abstract artist. I completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2007 and have been painting ever since. I started my art ‘career’ from a very young age, encouraged by a mother who was a director in community theatre and costume-maker. I experimented with clay and raku for a while. In university, I took classes in drawing and art history, but my heart was in the studio, not in the classroom.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“As an abstractionist, I work from my head, no themes, no messages. I start with a few gestural lines before deciding on colors. I use acrylic so I can spray my lines with water and watch patterns emerge. Abstraction invites me to look for interesting patterns, shapes, and movement in the paint to work with, adding more colour, and turning my canvas using shapers to pull the paint thick and thin and work it into the canvas. I use oil sticks to create lines and texture. And finally, oil paint is added to create depth and edit my marks, allowing viewers to see my process and bring their own story to the work.”
“I approach each painting with a sense of curiosity as to what will happen next.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work evolves spontaneously, without a plan or preconceived idea. I react to the shapes and colours that emerge, although sometimes an object such as a bird or a face will make an appearance, quite to my surprise. One of my greatest joys is watching young children interact with my paintings, with their uninhibited imaginations running wild between the colours and shapes.”
Which artists influence you most?
“My initial inspirations came from the landscape but soon morphed into abstract. I was inspired particularly by the New York School of Abstract Impressionists Helen Frankenthaler and Joan Mitchell, as well as Diebenkorn, Rothko, and many more.”
What does your art mean to you?
“I am a Doodler! My art is about my passion and expression of doodling, allowing the inherent ability of a line, a shape, or a colour to give voice to complex dialogue and relation with the painting. I paint to music of all kinds that brings an intensity and energy that seems to take on a life of its own within my work.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Brecht answered this best when he said that the role of an artist is not to just be a mirror to hold up to society, but a hammer with which to shape it. Or, I like to think, just bring some colour and joy into our complicated lives.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I’ve participated in quite a number of exhibitions that include:
Solo Shows
2017 Green Ark, 212 20th St, Saskatoon SK
2016-19 Innovation Place Business Centre, Saskatoon, SK
2015 University Club, Saskatoon, SK
Hues, Saskatoon, SK
Green Ark, Saskatoon, SK
2014 City Perks, Saskatoon, SK
2012 Calories, Saskatoon, SK
2011 The Gallery, Francis Morrison Library, Saskatoon, SK
2010 Arts on Atlantic, Calgary AB
2008 Arts on Atlantic, Calgary AB
Stations Arts Centre Gallery, Rosthern SK
2007 Simon's British Flavours, Saskatoon SK
Haarley's, Saskatoon, SK
2006 Saskatoon Club, Saskatoon, SKGroup Shows
2018 The Gallery, Francis Morrison Library, Saskatoon, SK
Gordon Snelgrove Gallery, University of SK, Saskatoon, SK
2016-18 ArtNow, Nouveau Gallery, Saskatoon and Regina, SK
2014-18 Studio on 20th Open Studio, Saskatoon, SK
2014 Green Ark, Saskatoon, SK
2014 Studio on 20th Gallery Group Show, Saskatoon, SK
2012 Art Trek, Saskatoon, SK
2011 ArtPoint.ca, Calgary, AB
2009-13 St. George's Open Studio,Saskatoon SK
2008 Rouge Gallery, Saskatoon SK
Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon, SK
2007 Art Gallery of Prince Albert, Prince Albert, SK
2006 Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA), Snelgrove Gallery, University of
Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
2005 St. Thomas More Gallery, University of Saskatchewan, SK
Faculty Club, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
Mendel Gallery, Members Showcase, Saskatoon, SK
Website: www.jancorcoran.com
Instagram: @jancorcoran.art
