Nick name: Jordi
Preferred occupation title: Artist / Gallery owner
Greatest wish: For my children to be healthy and happy in life
Unnecessary fear: That I’ll never get to see all the places I want to in my lifetime.
Earliest memory: playing cafe at the park with my dad and laughing so hard that I wet my pants in the middle of the playground.
Self care essential(s): Sun, exercise (boxing in particular) and being in nature.
Three words to describe your new show: Personal, Flirty and Textural
I love a good multitasker and an inspired, dedicated woman who takes on the challenge of not only running a business, but being an established artist, mother, partner, friend and vital Byron community member. What are your processes in switching between all these amazing hats?
I wish I could say that I had some kind of process or that there was a rhythm to the madness but honestly.. most days I’m just keeping my head above water.
Some days I’m totally in control and feel like a boss at life. . . But most of the time it’s just about using every scrap of time and choosing my battles, reading the room around me and knowing what to prioritise in that moment.
I definitely work best to a deadline and always dance to the beat of “if you do it now.. then it’s done”.
Personally, I can find it a real struggle mentally to go between my own creative painting processes and curating spaces for my business. Do you ever find it a challenge to ocellate between your business mind at Yeah, Nice gallery, and your creative mind with your upcoming exhibition, Comb As You Are?
This is definitely a real struggle! One side of the brain is giving advice and knowing what works or fits in a gallery space and the other doesn’t give a shit and just wants to express the concept.
It’s a lot easier to be the one on the outside, giving support then the artist who is about to put all their internal doubts on the wall for people to see.
You discussed overcoming self-doubt on your socials recently ahead of the opening of Comb As You Are. Can you discuss where this arose from and how you worked through it in your studio?
I used to exhibit more frequently and making art was my full time job. But then I decided to have a break to concentrate on Yeah Nice Gallery, have babies and go back to Uni. Also, being more time poor meant that my arts practice took a back seat. Now that it’s been a few years and I have lost some momentum (plus getting older), It feels much like starting from scratch. I put lots of pressure on myself and I think this could possibly be one of my most personal bodies of work (conceptually) that I’ve exhibited. Not sure if I have completely worked through the self doubt, but I’m hoping the process of putting on this show will be much like ripping off a Band-Aid and once it’s over, I’ll feel a little more healed.
Seeing your works for me, brings back a sense of nostalgia. The combs representing a physical manifestation of theemotional catalyst that is used in personal connection- through grooming and personal care. What would you like your viewers to take from the show?
I think I hope this show provokes both a surface level provocativeness through colour and composition as well as a slightly deeper and maybe more silent prompt to self reflect on one’s own relationships with others and with themselves. Who combed your hair? How did it feel? Who’s hair do you comb? What does the process bring you? Or perhaps a more metaphorical approach… what tangles need combing out?
What is your mantra around promoting self-care and self-esteem when it comes to both your own children and the young artists that look up to you?
My mantra towards everything in life is always “everything in moderation, including moderation”. Do what makes you feel good.. don’t be too harsh or strict on yourself… life is made to be enjoyed and cherished, not too restricted and restrained. Also, if you are putting something out into the world.. always continuously how it will effect others.
“Come As You Are” closes February 10th at Yeah, Nice Gallery. Don’t miss out.
4 Acacia Street
Byron Bay Industrial Estate, NSW