Jadé Fadojutimi’s environments strike as a euphoric source of psychological escapism
Jadé Fadojutimi's euphoric paintings or so-called “environments” offer the viewer an insight into the artist's quest for identity, memory and psychological escapism as London is faced with a second national lockdown to curb the rise of the pandemic.
When first touring Jadé’s latest exhibition Jesture, at London’s Pippy Houldsworth Gallery, one is struck by the ocean of colour which spirals onto the vast surface of the canvas. Colors intertwine and blossom through quick strokes of paint, veils, and nets and even floral patterns rendered in hues of pink, purple, blue and green all of which explode and sprawl in harmony onto the canvas.
Many of her works depict mysterious worlds which blur the line between figuration and abstraction, immersing the viewer into a parallel reality.
In conversation with Artistic Director of the ICA Miami Alex Gartenfeld during Art Basel Miami Beach’s OVR, Jadé describes the color theory she uses as a useful sounding board, a language to communicate deep emotions, to reflect on her thoughts and engage with the wider public.
Jadé’s studio draws on various sources of influences in her works. Her London studio is filled with objects, fabrics, Japanese anime, drawings and writings all of which evoke nostalgic pleasures which give her works a self-transcendent quality. Her works then become a window via which one can psychologically escape.
“During this lockdown my imagination became a lot more expansive. I started translating nostalgia in a dream world, in a time during which I could not walk outside from my home/studio,” Fadojutimi said.
“Through my paintings I am extending branches with myself and other people.”
The title of the exhibition, Jesture, touches on a sense of the absurd, responding to the disruption of daily rhythms arising from forced isolation during lockdown. The gestural brushstrokes and ecstatic energy of the paint allude to Jade’s expressionism, moods and emotions.
“The title “Jesture” was very representative of the realities of making a work and the realities of the pandemic. Applying pastels with the hand directly into the painting, felt like a gesture in itself, it was like having a conversation with the painting,” Fadojutimi added.
Jadé Fadojutimi further seeks her works to branch out to others, by stimulating a dialogue with the viewer.
“I am always thinking at how my works communicate with each other. When giving a title to a work, I always reflect a lot on it. I wonder how it unravels and helps to communicate with others. Through my paintings I am extending branches with myself and other people.”
“I like watching my story through my work and to externalize my inner monologue. I am quite the romantic.”
As the youngest artist held in collection at Tate Modern, 27-year old Jadé Fadojutimi is one to watch.
Jadé Fadojutimi (b.1993) lives and works in London. She earned a BA from The Slade School of Fine Art, London in 2015 and an MA from the Royal College of Art, London in 2017.
Acquisitions have also to date been made by the ICA Miami, and a promised gift to Dallas Museum of Art followed soon after.
Pippy Houldsworth Gallery’s all-female presentation for Art Basel Miami Beach 2020 initiates dialogue between feminist icons Mary Kelly, Jacqueline de Jong, and Ming Smith, and a younger generation of artists in Angela Heisch, Jadé Fadojutimi, Stefanie Heinze, Wangari Mathenge & Zoë Buckman.