New World: How can visual artists utilise their work to envisage a better tomorrow? – It’s Nice That

A way in which artists voice their ideals is by creating alternative realities, constructed free from the restraints of the physical world. Its in this balance between fiction and non-fiction that artists can freely discuss topics that might seem more abstract or difficult to voice otherwise. London-based artist Jazz Grant does this entirely throughout her practice, wherein she blends hand-cut paper collage with digital animation techniques to voice her dreams for the future. This merging of two techniques gives her work a familiar yet disturbing sensibility, a place where she can build her own utopia and explore the concept of inclusivity.

So far, Jazz has built a portfolio filled with work for Dazed, Burberry, Gucci and Adidas. Alongside her commercial projects, shes also produced a host of personal work which uses archival imagery sourced from films, family photo albums, phone footage or photos taken on trips. Collage, in Jazzs eyes, is an apt tool for organic creative expression, especially when it comes to addressing a more diverse and equal world. I think themes of utopia and community resonate with me, so they tend to emerge naturally through the imagery I gravitate to and the way I piece it together, she says. I didnt specifically choose collage in order to translate these ideas, but the process does help to visually combine and suggest multiple concepts.

Jazzs process is undeniably personal. While creating a piece, she acknowledges the past and will often look back on her familial history in order to make informed decisions about the future. As the old saying goes, history always tends to repeat itself, but this can be a positive thing if done so consciously and correctly. In the upcoming panel featuring Jazz, shes looking forward to discussing the power of re-contextualising imagery in order to tell stories of her two key themes: inclusivity and utopia. It will be a highly inspiring accord, and Jazz is always keen to learn from her peers: Im looking forward to gaining an insight into how the other women work, their journey, she says, what sparks their imagination and when they feel most inspired.

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New World: How can visual artists utilise their work to envisage a better tomorrow? - It's Nice That