I am Jess, an artist from Sydney who works with a variety of mediums including charcoal, pencils, watercolour paint, acrylic paint and clay.
HSC Major Work - 2020
"Introspection"
Artwork Title - Introspection Medium - Acrylic on Canvas Paper, Paper Mache Sculpture
Inspired Artists - Malcolm T Liepke, Miho Hirano
Statement - Introspection explores a moment of all consuming inward reflection whereby the subject (my sister) is entirely immersed in her thoughts. I wanted to provoke audiences to think about what it means to succumb to, and fully accept your emotions to be present. Her direct eye contact is highly evocative and invites viewers to experience the emotion in this moment. The teardrop that falls is reflective of the intensity of her realisation and self acceptance. This is continued through the sculptural elements. Her cupped hands catch her tears and symbolize her fragility. She is the essence of clarity.
Young Archibald Finalist 2019 16-18 yrs 'Chrysalis'
I chose to paint my sister Eva as she experiences her teenage years. This image of her portrays the conflicting emotions that accompany this stage of life. Happy switches to irritable within what seems like seconds. She is a whirlwind of emotion, yet the essence of her, which is fun and light, is still present. I love her regardless, as she moves towards emerging from the chrysalis of self-conscious adolescence.
Young Archibald Winner 2018 12-15 yrs
Young Archibald Winner 2017 12-15 yrs
"I have chosen to paint my sister Eva because she has a true sense of self and no-one can tell her how to think. When she smiles she lights up the room, but this piece captures her more thoughtful side – the one that people don’t see as often – against a backdrop of playful colours. I chose acrylic paint on canvas paper because it allowed me to create both a soft blended finish for her face and contrasting playful brushstrokes for the background. I think she looks beautiful".
This work is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process, nor may any other exclusive right be exercised, without the permission of Jessica Thompson 2017.