This month for international women’s month we decided to ask a female artist whose work we both really love, and who was an artist who entered our general submissions open call her graphite drawings are extremely detailed and emotive.
Bio-
Jezzelle H R Kellam (b 1999) is a graphite artist from Kent, based in the Northeast of England.
In her work, she represents the body. Making conscious decisions about removing heads and parts of a body is where her practice has led her. She has used this compositional decision as a vehicle for her ongoing oeuvre that articulates her way of thinking.
“By breaking down the form to how I see it, I attempt to encapsulate the physical, psychological, and physiological properties of what it is like to inhabit a form, a human body. By bridging a gap between the body and mind. My art and life are inextricably enmeshed.”
Jezzelle’s work has been selected for the ING Discerning Eye exhibition 2021 and the open submission for the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts 2020. Winner of the public choice award for Art from Heart virtual exhibition: The Divine Feminine, 2022.
Shortlisted for The New Emergence Art Prize 2022. She has had her work in numerous magazine publications such as Mad Womxn Magazine: Motherland. Spilt Milk Zine, Issue nine and ten. As well as running her own print and art business part-time since 2020
Instagram handle - @Jezzellehrkellam
website- www.jezzellekellam.bigcartel.com
1 - Could you explain your practice? Only you know why you do what you do.
In my work, I represent the body, By making conscious decisions in removing heads and parts of a body this is where my practice has led me. I have used this compositional decision as a vehicle for my ongoing oeuvre that articulates my way of thinking. By breaking down the form to how I see it, I attempt to encapsulate the physical, psychological, and physiological properties of what it is like to inhabit a form, a human body. By bridging a gap between the body and mind. My art and life are inextricably enmeshed. It is vital to portray a multitude of scars, body hair, cellulite, and so on, These abrasive textures have been viewed as imperfections, but I want to share how beautiful these attributes are.
2 - Is art relevant today?
I think art is completely relevant today, it will always be relevant. I think it is especially important in contemporary art as it is so accessible for anyone of any background to express and share with the world how we feel and what message we have to share.
3 – We are always asked what other artists influence us, we want to know what art we don’t like, and which influences you.
The artists that influence me are ones that I hold dear to my heart. The first one will always be my partner; Jordan Younger. Sharing the same environment with another artist is amazing for bouncing ideas off each other and there are no questions when you need to create strange photo references as we are on the same wavelength! Another artist that comes to mind would be Jenny Saville, not only is her art beyond visceral but I am influenced by how articulate she is, I have watched many interviews and talks and every time I am blown away by her influences and how she can talk about her art.
Regarding art that I don’t like, I try to consume art that I love and look at different perspectives. I am drawn to art that holds skill, subject matter that reflects a deeper meaning and interesting textures always fascinate me.
4- If you could go back 10-20 years what would you tell your younger self?
If I could go back ten years, I would tell my thirteen-year-old self to keep creating art. Continue what you are doing because what you are going through will end and you will heal. This will fuel your art and you will be creating things you did not even imagine you could.
5 – If you could go forward 10-20 years what do you hope to have done or not done?
I hope I have manifested a stable art career, I hope that my work has been exhibited and sold. Through my art, I have been able to travel, be financially stable, and have continued to develop my practice. I hope that I have been able to influence other artists, meet artists I am inspired by, and be connected to the art world on a more regular basis. I hope that I have used my time efficiently and pushed my practice to its furthest corners.
artworks information-
Abrade, 2020
This Place Isn't Mine, 2020
Am I Identical To My Skin?, 2022
Wilt, 2022
Looking Intently At The Unfamiliar, 2022