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Jordan Sallis: ‘Freedom’

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Freedom
2020
Organic charcoal ink on mulberry paper (Image printed on Wood)

105 paintings, 105 natural subjects, 105 days in lockdown by Jordan Sallis

105 black, circular illustrations are displayed on a wood panel, with 7 on each row. Each illustration was completed with organic handmade charcoal ink, creating a high contrast of black against the plywood background.

Each circle is filled with a black background with the natural subject highlighting in the centre. The circles are all the same, but the content of each one is different. Various forms from the natural world are within each circle including: leaves, plants, flowers, insects, amphibians, mammals and birds.

The first illustration is of the plant, London Pride, the last illustration is of the fruit, Blackberries. Bluebells, White-Tailed Bumblebee, Maidenhair Spleenwort, Wild Strawberry Flower and Japanese Knotweed are a few of the natural forms displayed.

I started painting on the 23.03.20 when lockdown was announced whilst living in wales up until 07.07.20 when restrictions were lifted.

Every day I had no issues finding inspiration. My creativity flourished. I would pass a bright flower on my walk, knowing that I had already painted a subject for that day, so I would return tomorrow to resume the journey. It ensured that I would create daily and build on my creative practice as well as knowledge of identifying natural plants and flowers.

A creative flame was lit, and once lockdown was over, it continued to burn through the forms of other works. This artwork pushed my practice further and I haven’t stopped since. I have been working with charcoal ink regularly since, burning my own wood on and fire and developing it into ink. It’s propelled me onto experimenting with alternative forms of natural inks.

The restrictions of lockdown gave me freedom, it created a path for me to step outside my comfort zone, whilst it seemed everyone else was losing their freedom.

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