Jess Owens-Young
About
Jess Owens-Young is a self-taught, multidisciplinary artist whose work explores the rich and varied experiences of Black individuals in America. After taking an art class at her local community center, Owens-Young found a new passion and has since cultivated her craft, creating art that emphasizes the resilience and joy of Black people as well as the essence of Black childhood.
Working primarily with acrylics, oil pastels, oil pigment sticks, and acrylic inks on canvas, Jess creates vibrant pieces that include portraiture, figurative painting, and collage. Her art is marked by recurring symbols that add depth and personal meaning. The happy face hat represents the projection and maintenance of happiness, while glasses seen on her notable figures reflect her perspective on the perception of Black narratives and bodies. The colorful flowers within her works highlight the restorative connection Black people have with agriculture through flowers and gardens.
Owens-Young draws inspiration from a diverse array of artists, including William H. Johnson, Elizabeth Catlett, Emory Douglas, Delita Martin, Henry Taylor, Deborah Roberts, and Alice Neel. Literary influences such as Octavia Butler and Toni Morrison also shape her artistic visionhrist
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Jess Owens-Young
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Jess Owens-Young
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3 questions on inspiration with
Jess Owens-Young
We're asking artists to choose one notable person, place and object that has inspired them in their journey so far. We're mapping inspiration at a scale never attempted before
Person
Henry Taylor is the most notable artist that has inspired my work so far. His use of color and composition has informed my approach to painting.
Place
My home has inspired my work by being the sanctuary of creative ideas.
Object
My phone is the most notable object that has inspired my work so far because of its ability to connect me with ideas and creative practices globally.
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