ROBIN JOURDAN

Artist Biography

Cross into a realm where art transcends the boundaries of canvas and blends with the ethereal energies of our world. Robin Jourdan, a visionary artist, whose creativity explores how we relate to place and is influenced by her experience as a cartographer. Thus, I explore new terrains regarding how we connect to our environment, real and imagined, as well as the s/hero's journey, charting life courses and translating phenomena.

Jourdan’s mastery melds together manipulation of handmade paper and her innate ability to perceive tendrils of energy that grace living entities, infusing her work with an exotic allure. In her creations, she explores themes of transformation, subtle energies, and the unpredictability of life on planet Earth.

The essence of her strength stems from the ability to frame and compartmentalize problems. Through a different perspective, and a worldly mindset, creative solutions are her specialty. 

Growing up in southeast Michigan, Robin’s childhood was threaded with the gritty, oil-slicked culture of heavy industry, automobiles, and a dynamic social structure. This tough as nails culture continues to shape her perspective and world view today. As a child of the 1960s-70s, Jourdan’s world was a continuous journey of questions, curiosity, and an unwavering fondness for her natural environment, in which the universe called her to explore. 

Emergence 1, 2023, Great Lakes water, copper, and handmade paper

Artist Statement

My work explores how we relate to place. Placeness is how we connect to our environment real and imagined. This can include: the (s)hero's journey, charting new courses and translating natural phenomena into the visual and sensory.

I use handmade paper and mixed media to sculpturally explore the intersections of nature, science, and universal experience.  Starting with research and meditation on the subject, I look for moments in the connection, an intuitive strike of inspiration or a deep research-based understanding of the placeness that underlies my ideas.

I use the materiality of paper altered through forming, pigmenting, and printing techniques to create organic forms. The research process often involves topographic maps, star charts, cultural artifacts, and a connection to the natural world and the energies embodied. I forage for pertinent site-specific materials and symbols to embed in the work. Designs are hand drawn before developing into 3d. They may be developed digitally for use in animations and prints.

The results of my work may initially appear light-hearted but, with time and attention, reveal deeper themes of subtle energy, power structures, and the voice of materials. My work reflects a belief that all life has a place here and a stake in what we do next.

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