Artist Interview: Jess Rees Seeks Space at Starry Night Retreat (Part II)

In this interview, Jess Rees- an artist who came to Starry Night Retreat this fall- talks about her creative vision and her experience in Truth or Consequences.

This is Part II of her interview with Feral Wilcox (You can read Part I here).

Space Seeker: Jess Rees (Part II)

When Jess got to Starry Night, she was looking for a big hunk of time and space, but also a way, physically, to work big. Even in her biggest format, though, the drawing remained small in scale and intimate. The expansion of space was around the object, and the space became an object in and of itself, in dialogue with the overt object. The “negative” space around the image was almost louder than the subject itself, making the images seem iconic, set apart, and seen in a way they would not be if immersed in their busy and dense context. Exposed. Vulnerable, in a way. Even myths or fantasies. Who are we without these structures of safety and shelter? Who are we without our own fixed ideas of ourselves?

It is clear from this current body of work that Jess is an artist who processes her life through her art. Whatever thing is is currently interesting to her will find expression in her work. Her pieces are explorations of things, rather than likenesses, reflections, or abstractions. It leaves a viewer with a feeling of curiosity, wanting to go look things up, have long winding discussions with people about things. The pieces worm their way into one’s thought stream and tease out stuck places in the mind. An artist like this will often work in a variety of media. In Seattle, Jess was a musician, an installation artist, a three-D mixed media artist, a silkscreen artist, and probably more that we didn’t get to talk about in my time with her. One of her favorite pieces was titled: The Most Popular Elements in the Universe. It consisted of a schoolbook inspired science diagram of atoms listed by their commonality. She did an installation in a solo show of sculptures that were lit up. This piece was re-installed out of doors, with the pieces hanging from trees. Jess also did screen-print concert posters for her own, and other’s bands. (To look at more of Jess’s work, visit her website.)

The band, Huma, consisted of three musicians and a lap-top, before lap-tops were common band members. Jess played guitar, keyboard and clarinet, and did some singing. Her boyfriend played guitar and did lead singing, and his sister played keyboard. Lap-top was on drums and effects. The band was accomplished and known; there were several west and east-coast tours. Their music was even used in TV commercials and other mainstream venues. But this kind of lifestyle was hard. The sister moved back east, and Jess’s creativity flowed back in to her more visual outlets.

***

Stay tuned for Part III, coming soon!