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Featured Artist Interview - Jaki Jo
BY
Jaki Jo
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What makes Australian-born Jaki Jo different from all the other illustrators? Her passion for the dark side of life, black humor and surrealism.
Not your typical pretty happy illustrations, her illustrations bordering on the morbid side have scored her the first prize with the prestigious London based D&AD student awards. Having already worked with various clients, such as Ampersand and The Big Issue magazines, as well as The Drawbridge newspaper and Swot TV, we speak to this rising star about taboo topics such as, in her own words, 'extreme sexuality, gender dysmorphia, obsession' and so on.
Read on for a little peek into a world not like any other.
TAXI>>Hi Jaki. Could you share with us what was it like, developing your own sense of illustration style?
Jaki Jo>> When it came to the creative world, I was not sure which direction I wanted to pursue. At university I did a New Media Graphic Design Degree (At Cavendish College then transferred to University of the Creative Arts Epsom), here I got the opportunity to look at all different aspects of design. I loved illustration but did not know how to develop my own personal style. I got given a project in my 2nd year called ‘Design investigation’, my task was to interview several designers on a certain topic and then create a report.
I interviewed several illustrators on: creating an emotional impact, the idea of humanoids (characters that are not human but have human qualities) and so on. I wrote the report but also created illustrations in reactions to what I had learnt from their interviews. This task helped me to realise what was important to me when making an illustration.
I concluded that a good illustrator could make an image on anything. Illustrations are more than just making something pretty it’s about having an impact; it’s about saying something about the world! By realising my illustration values, it gave me the opportunity to form my own personal style.
TAXI>>Your style of illustration reflects a sense of surrealism, but yet brings to mind MTV's Aeon Flux animation; would you say this sense of style that somewhat ignores the concerns of traditional aesthetics?
Jaki Jo>> I think that in terms of traditional ideas of what makes a pretty image both ‘Aeon Flux’ and I break the notions of what should and shouldn’t be shown. I think ignoring the traditions is a relevant topic for today; people want to break the boundaries and notions that are taboo. But not everyone will take the risk to show ideas that are a bit touchy and unconventional for example, extreme sexuality, gender dysmorphia, obsession, addiction, torture, surrealist views on reality and so on.
TAXI>>With your works and their play on notions of reality and taboos, would you describe them as having the "anti-art" movement?
Jaki Jo>> I don’t think I have ever concisely went out to be ‘anti-art’ but now looking up the so- called definition and looking back at my work, I suppose it does reflect some elements of the ‘anti art’ movement. I love playing with taboos because it gives me an opportunity to try and shock my audience or make them think about uncomfortable things.
I also sometimes like to show the harsh reality of something without leaving anything to the imagination. Something I would love to do this year is to have my own exhibition, I want to make prints of selected images and frame them. The contrast between traditional elegant framing and my controversial taboo vector computer art images does have an anti-art quality!
TAXI>> We often hear of how artists/designers prefer to just let their works speak for themselves; is there any message that you generally like to put across with your works?
Jaki Jo>> I feel my works do express a part of me, how I feel or have felt. But I don’t necessarily think I need to tell people, and if they asked, I would share with them. What I really appreciate is people having their own point of view. My work creates an emotional impact on the audience, which causes them to have their own unique reaction.
TAXI>> From what do you draw inspiration for the black comedy in your illustrations?
Jaki Jo>> I seem to have black humour daily in my life from my friends and myself, which is always amusing with its sarcastic twist. I think having an interest in black humour obviously led me into research into the meaning and ideas that surround black comedy. I love googling images, for example I google up words and see what people feel the word means by their image interpretation.
For example, one of my favourite searches was ‘black comedy’, where I discovered many great images that inspired me. I even discovered that one of my favourite artists whom I believe is some what influenced by black humour: ‘David Lachapelle’. He also shows strong surrealism, which I also love.
TAXI>> Which is the usual tough stage when it comes to creating your illustrated works? The conceptualization or the production? And, why?
Jaki Jo>> I would say it could be either depending on what the brief is. Sometimes I have thousands of ideas but am not sure how to carry it out, or the other way around. If I am having some kind of creative block I usually stare at the wall for a while but then remember inspiration comes from experiences, so I head out side and often ideas come flooding. But I must admit there is nothing better than sitting down for an afternoon illustrating on my computer while watching a TV show like ‘Dexter’ or ‘Nip/tuck’ to create inspiration.
TAXI>> If someone came by and commented that your works had an element of pop-culture in them, what would be your instant reaction?
Jaki Jo>> I would be complimented. I’m a huge fan of Pop Art, and I think subconsciously it influences me much more than I know. I have Pop-art images all over my flat and I particularly love ‘Roy Lichtenstein’. I walk past them every day.
Ever since I was a little girl I felt so inspired by this type of art. It’s bright, bold and reminds me of the vector art of today. I love the thick and thin black lines that surround the bright mostly primary colours. It’s a fantastic mixture that constantly blows me away. It hits a youthful cord in me that I can’t quite understand yet.
TAXI>> With your style of illustration works, how would you say they reflect your personal philosophy in life?
Jaki Jo>> Often things I believe in or am trying to understand are in my images. Situations or feelings I’m having can also find their way in, it’s a way of self-expression and release! For example at the moment, I’m trying to work out my political views, so a few of my newest illustrations that I have made have been expressions of my developing views.
I am in a place in my life where I feel open minded to discuss and find out, who I am and what I believe in!
TAXI>> I'm sure everyone would love to see your current working space. How about showing it to us?
Jaki Jo>> Sure thing, check out the image.
This is my workspace but much of my ideas are done while I’m out, on the tube; walking along the street, buying food and so on. I always carry post-it notes or my notebook to sketch down ideas. I also love writing on the back of random opened envelopes. There is something so amusing about 2nd hand paper and a pen.
TAXI>> Okay, before we end, where would you like a TAXI to take you to now?
Jaki Jo>> I would like a taxi to take me to ‘Disney World’. Wow, my childlike side is revealed! I love the idea of a place that lets you escape, and feel like a kid again. A lovely innocence that’s captured in our youth, the joy of rides, particularly roller coasters! It really is a never-ending fantasyland that you can explore.
Jaki's works are showcased on her website Jaki Jo.
© 2003 - 2009 by TAXI Design Network. All rights reserved.
Not your typical pretty happy illustrations, her illustrations bordering on the morbid side have scored her the first prize with the prestigious London based D&AD student awards. Having already worked with various clients, such as Ampersand and The Big Issue magazines, as well as The Drawbridge newspaper and Swot TV, we speak to this rising star about taboo topics such as, in her own words, 'extreme sexuality, gender dysmorphia, obsession' and so on.
Read on for a little peek into a world not like any other.
TAXI>>Hi Jaki. Could you share with us what was it like, developing your own sense of illustration style?
Jaki Jo>> When it came to the creative world, I was not sure which direction I wanted to pursue. At university I did a New Media Graphic Design Degree (At Cavendish College then transferred to University of the Creative Arts Epsom), here I got the opportunity to look at all different aspects of design. I loved illustration but did not know how to develop my own personal style. I got given a project in my 2nd year called ‘Design investigation’, my task was to interview several designers on a certain topic and then create a report.
I interviewed several illustrators on: creating an emotional impact, the idea of humanoids (characters that are not human but have human qualities) and so on. I wrote the report but also created illustrations in reactions to what I had learnt from their interviews. This task helped me to realise what was important to me when making an illustration.
I concluded that a good illustrator could make an image on anything. Illustrations are more than just making something pretty it’s about having an impact; it’s about saying something about the world! By realising my illustration values, it gave me the opportunity to form my own personal style.
TAXI>>Your style of illustration reflects a sense of surrealism, but yet brings to mind MTV's Aeon Flux animation; would you say this sense of style that somewhat ignores the concerns of traditional aesthetics?
Jaki Jo>> I think that in terms of traditional ideas of what makes a pretty image both ‘Aeon Flux’ and I break the notions of what should and shouldn’t be shown. I think ignoring the traditions is a relevant topic for today; people want to break the boundaries and notions that are taboo. But not everyone will take the risk to show ideas that are a bit touchy and unconventional for example, extreme sexuality, gender dysmorphia, obsession, addiction, torture, surrealist views on reality and so on.
TAXI>>With your works and their play on notions of reality and taboos, would you describe them as having the "anti-art" movement?
Jaki Jo>> I don’t think I have ever concisely went out to be ‘anti-art’ but now looking up the so- called definition and looking back at my work, I suppose it does reflect some elements of the ‘anti art’ movement. I love playing with taboos because it gives me an opportunity to try and shock my audience or make them think about uncomfortable things.
I also sometimes like to show the harsh reality of something without leaving anything to the imagination. Something I would love to do this year is to have my own exhibition, I want to make prints of selected images and frame them. The contrast between traditional elegant framing and my controversial taboo vector computer art images does have an anti-art quality!
TAXI>> We often hear of how artists/designers prefer to just let their works speak for themselves; is there any message that you generally like to put across with your works?
Jaki Jo>> I feel my works do express a part of me, how I feel or have felt. But I don’t necessarily think I need to tell people, and if they asked, I would share with them. What I really appreciate is people having their own point of view. My work creates an emotional impact on the audience, which causes them to have their own unique reaction.
TAXI>> From what do you draw inspiration for the black comedy in your illustrations?
Jaki Jo>> I seem to have black humour daily in my life from my friends and myself, which is always amusing with its sarcastic twist. I think having an interest in black humour obviously led me into research into the meaning and ideas that surround black comedy. I love googling images, for example I google up words and see what people feel the word means by their image interpretation.
For example, one of my favourite searches was ‘black comedy’, where I discovered many great images that inspired me. I even discovered that one of my favourite artists whom I believe is some what influenced by black humour: ‘David Lachapelle’. He also shows strong surrealism, which I also love.
TAXI>> Which is the usual tough stage when it comes to creating your illustrated works? The conceptualization or the production? And, why?
Jaki Jo>> I would say it could be either depending on what the brief is. Sometimes I have thousands of ideas but am not sure how to carry it out, or the other way around. If I am having some kind of creative block I usually stare at the wall for a while but then remember inspiration comes from experiences, so I head out side and often ideas come flooding. But I must admit there is nothing better than sitting down for an afternoon illustrating on my computer while watching a TV show like ‘Dexter’ or ‘Nip/tuck’ to create inspiration.
TAXI>> If someone came by and commented that your works had an element of pop-culture in them, what would be your instant reaction?
Jaki Jo>> I would be complimented. I’m a huge fan of Pop Art, and I think subconsciously it influences me much more than I know. I have Pop-art images all over my flat and I particularly love ‘Roy Lichtenstein’. I walk past them every day.
Ever since I was a little girl I felt so inspired by this type of art. It’s bright, bold and reminds me of the vector art of today. I love the thick and thin black lines that surround the bright mostly primary colours. It’s a fantastic mixture that constantly blows me away. It hits a youthful cord in me that I can’t quite understand yet.
TAXI>> With your style of illustration works, how would you say they reflect your personal philosophy in life?
Jaki Jo>> Often things I believe in or am trying to understand are in my images. Situations or feelings I’m having can also find their way in, it’s a way of self-expression and release! For example at the moment, I’m trying to work out my political views, so a few of my newest illustrations that I have made have been expressions of my developing views.
I am in a place in my life where I feel open minded to discuss and find out, who I am and what I believe in!
TAXI>> I'm sure everyone would love to see your current working space. How about showing it to us?
Jaki Jo>> Sure thing, check out the image.
This is my workspace but much of my ideas are done while I’m out, on the tube; walking along the street, buying food and so on. I always carry post-it notes or my notebook to sketch down ideas. I also love writing on the back of random opened envelopes. There is something so amusing about 2nd hand paper and a pen.
TAXI>> Okay, before we end, where would you like a TAXI to take you to now?
Jaki Jo>> I would like a taxi to take me to ‘Disney World’. Wow, my childlike side is revealed! I love the idea of a place that lets you escape, and feel like a kid again. A lovely innocence that’s captured in our youth, the joy of rides, particularly roller coasters! It really is a never-ending fantasyland that you can explore.
Jaki's works are showcased on her website Jaki Jo.
© 2003 - 2009 by TAXI Design Network. All rights reserved.