Susan Jessop

Artist Statement

My practice explores the physical and metaphorical spaces we inhabit, focussing on how domestic interiors reflect and absorb our emotions, particularly grief and collective loss. I contrast the playful, vibrant colours of my paintings with their intense, hauntological subject matter, utilizing defamiliarisation to create unease. Layers of acrylic paint on canvas and plywood are constructed, leaving traces of the underpainting at the edges of each form. This slippage and revealment embody the experiences, history, and meaning inherent in these spaces.

I centre my exploration on repeated motifs and recognizable yet distorted architectural features that serve as visual anchors. Initially familiar and comforting, these elements ultimately provoke questions about the strange, box-like spaces that stage our lives. I aim to create an ‘awkward pause’ for my viewer, a liminal space that encourages contemplation and reflection.

Susan Jessop
https://www.susanjessop.com
@naturescardigan