ARTIST STATEMENT
My work draws inspiration from memory, lived experiences, my understanding of the human condition, and my Buddhist practice. These elements shape my creative process and guide my exploration of renewal, connection, and shared humanity. I work primarily with burlap, also known as hessian—a natural material that embodies my love of nature and texture. Burlap is both humble and enduring, capturing the balance between impermanence and permanence. Its strength and ruggedness reflect fortitude, while its woven fibers evoke the interwoven nature of existence.
I source reclaimed coffee bags from around the world, each bearing the marks of its journey and the hand of its maker. The varied weaves, colors, and weights of the burlap celebrate individuality and diversity, while its utilitarian origins highlight the ongoing work of refining our lives.
Working with burlap is labor-intensive and requires patience and mindfulness. Its frays, tears, and wear are not flaws but invitations to restore and reimagine, offering a visual metaphor for the human spirit’s capacity to adapt and flourish. Through mending and stitching, the burlap becomes a symbol of growth and renewal. The repaired surfaces, with their visible flaws, serve as meditations on strength and connection. They remind us that struggles are not isolated, but part of a universal story. In each piece, I aim to reveal that beauty emerges not from perfection, but from the courage to embrace and transform challenges.
By stitching these fragments together, I create work that celebrates resilience, compassion, and the enduring power of the human spirit.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Janet Jaffke is an international fiber artist. Born and raised in Chicago, she now resides in Alsace, France. She graduated with a BFA from the Chicago School of the Art Institute.
After moving to France in 2013, Janet worked primarily in acrylic mixed media, incorporating collage as part of her process. While exploring ways to create texture in her paintings, Janet found an old piece of burlap and used it in her paintings to create texture. At first, the burlap was buried under thick layers of acrylic paint, but over time Janet began to recognize the beauty of the material in its natural state. Soon the burlap was no longer a supporting textural element in a painting, but rather it became the primary focus and material in her work.
Janet has had artist residencies in Florence, Italy; St. Joe, Michigan; and Lewiston, New York. Her work has been featured in art and literary magazines. She has exhibited in Florence, Italy; Chicago, IL; Basel, Switzerland; and Paris, France. In 2024 she was shortlisted for the Hopper Prize.
She has worked in collaboration with writer Laurie ShoulterKarall who was inspired to write stories in response to Janet’s. Their book “Catch” was published in September 2022.
© Janet Jaffke