On Screen Features: Jess Webb

Brisbane is brimming with talented artists and screen printers. With our first On Screen exhibition nearing closer, we thought we would offer a bit of a taste test and share this recent chat we had with one of the feature artists, Jess Webb.

Tell us a bit about your background? 

My name is Jessie – I moved to Brisbane from Toowoomba a few years ago and have been making work in my leafy studio between working for a fashion label and hustling burgers at Bens. I guess I have always collected things and made stuff with my hands. It wasn’t until I was into my second year at University that I figured out that I wanted to spend more time making art and figuring out what I wanted to do – and I’m still in that stage. I really enjoy collecting the work of other artist, continuing my research of different mediums, I take photos on the side, study Japanese and am also a keen gardener. I am trained as a Print Maker with a Theory minor, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that is my main jam – Im always open to new things and I am enjoying the journey that I am on at the present.

What Pantone colour are you and why? 

Im a huge fan of pastel colours, and as much as I love neutral tones, Im a sucker for pink. I think my Pantone colour would be 2036 C which is a super light pink or 164 XGC which is a light orange/guava colour.

3 artists who seriously influence your work?

Photography is a large part of my practice, especially when documenting things that are then used in my prints. Fumiko Imano is a Japanese photographer who makes incredible work and photo books – I specifically go to a certain book shop in Japan to buy her work each year. Another large influence of mine is Ren Hang, a Chinese photographer who sadly passed away about a month ago. Im also a huge fan of Daimon Downey who is a multi disciplinary artist – his use of colour and shapes, alongside his sculptures are awesome.

But I have a lot of influences! I love Volim which is a collective in Perth, the photography of Cass Bird, Mansur Gavriel & most importantly, my ride or die, Leona who now lives in Melbourne.

100 words about your piece for On Screen?

My works for On Screen are Eucalyptus Transfers of images over the last three years of my life. Ive been noticing changes and transitions in my life of late, and I think this work is a response to how I have been feeling about these changes – especially moving cities, moving into my own place, making new friends and my personal taste and influences changing. Its a super powerful feeling when you can see yourself changing, especially the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Images have been a big part of my growth and perception of the things around me, so this series of prints attempts to unpack that.

One thing you can’t live without?

Sadly, my phone. Its my connection to my family & my friends – who mostly live out of state or overseas. Its important for me to feel connected to them – apps like Instagram play a big part in bridging that gap between me and them.

What do you think of the current art/creative scene in Brisbane?

When I first moved to Brisbane I felt like an outsider, maybe because I didn’t study here or know many people. I spent a lot of time in the Toowoomba art community with my friends, making work and exhibiting with them. I think that there are many people working hard to provide platforms for others to exhibit and showcase their work here, and I have always had encouragement or support. If you want things to happen in your city, I think you have to support others who are chipping away creating those opportunities – or make your own.

There are so many things bubbling away here and I’m keen to stick around and see what the future holds.

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