Jessica Jahja
The theme of “Memories of Food” includes artworks each created to symbolize and represent a past significant memory of mine that had the involvement of food. It not only is to explain my past self but why food has had such a large impact on who I am today. One discusses eating issues that viewers can learn from and relate to while others highlight the beauty of various cultures. The theme is to present the intricacies, unexplainable emotions, powerful nostalgia, and overall allure of food that goes beyond just its unanimity and purpose of providing nutrition. There is a personal history of significant lessons and new worlds of the unknown that is embedded in the memories we have with food. To me, food gives greater purpose for one to become more open-minded, creative, and spread love between relationships.
The intention is for viewers to appreciate food on a deeper level as they reflect on their past life, and appreciate the unique and beautiful experiences created from the involvement of food. It is to discover the complexities of food in that each one is incredibly unique but can be inclusive for all to try out and learn from. The arrangement of my exhibition is to be able to show how I improved in different artistic technical skills but dabble in other mediums that are of my expertise and as well as outside of my comfort zone. It reveals the commitment to mediums that are of my interest but to have the courage to explore other new ones and embrace the mediums that have rooted my passion for art. For example, my exhibition has two sides each including its own medium. One side shows two artworks of the same medium of printmaking and compares the improvement in techniques between them. The same goes for the other side but of the medium of air-dry clay. The center area presents two artworks, one of my comfort and exploration in embroidery while I jump into the unfamiliar world of origami in the other piece. This is to create a balance of appreciating the past, present and future of my memories with food and art. Just as how food has become intertwined into the memories that make me who I am, viewers can draw inspiration from their own experiences of food that have highlighted who they are as well along the journey of viewing.
eggs
3 (20.32cm x 20.32cm x 3-6cm)
Air-dry clay, acrylic paint, gesso, thick gloss, air dry clay, chalk pastel
Using Burke’s realism of clay as inspiration, I aimed to capture the versatility of eggs in three different forms. These are the forms I so distinctly remember and relied on in eating while growing up. Incorporating unique compositions and color palettes ensure each piece to highlight its own identity while maintaining a unity of simplicity and of the same ingredient. The bright background and shiny coat becomes a remembrance of a gentle past that is parked from the appreciation of the egg.
What’s Inside the Dumpling?
Linoleum block printing, chalk pastel
15.2 cm x 15.2 cm
My intentions with the piece was to express the mysteries and blurry clarity I have towards my recently found ancestral Chinese heritage. In contrast to my previous works where my memories are distinct and meaningful, I try to embrace the unknown of my past heritage through the representation of a known Chinese dish, a dumpling. The questioning of what’s inside it is one to give to myself and others who don’t truly know themselves yet.
Nasi Goreng
Mixed Media (paper, glue, tape)
26 cm x 26 cm x 8.9 cm
What is magical about paper is that origami brings out the beauty of a commonplace object that I intended to show through my origami food art piece. Through Ollanski’s inspiration, my piece is to not be realistic but simple and have the remnants of toy foods. The combination of my memories of eating nasi goreng, that deeply connected me to my Indonesian culture, and my love for origami allowed the piece to become a strong representation of me and the significance food holds to me.
Fun Eggos
Linoleum Block Printing
11.5 cm x 13.6 cm (per print)
The repetition of these prints of various colors is not only inspired by Andy Warhol’s pop art style, but representative of the regular amount of times Jahja has spent eating an Eggos waffle in her childhood. The food itself, although bland, created a significant amount of joy in the artist’s youth which is symbolized through the bright colors chosen to highlight the Eggos waffles. Reflecting back on the fun memories of something so simple is what makes a childhood so significant and impactful.
Indigestion of Letting Go
Embroidery floss, cotton fabric, cloth napkin
22cm x 12cm x 11.3cm
Using Harry Hambley’s intentions of uplifting spirits through simple art, I aimed to present a past, dark memory of my struggling relationship with food in a positive and reflective manner. Through my own simplistic design of particular foods I constantly ate, I want what I learned from past struggles to be embraced and accepted. It is a universal lesson to admire and express one’s flaws as a way to prove to the world that any challenge can be overcome and yields a stronger, better person.
The Universal Spoon
Air-Dry Clay and Acrylic Paint
15.5cm x 7cm x 8.35cm
Inspired by the bright and colorful aesthetic that Kjellberg has incorporated into her clay artworks, these qualities were given to the same intentions of The Universal Spoon. The flawed but positive and shiny artwork gains insight into the damaged but healed, beautiful relationship I have with my father. The spoon represents our relationship while it itself has contributed greater bonds and healing towards the father-daughter’s relationship through its functional use.