ARTIST STATEMENT
My work is inspired by memory, experiences, my understanding of the human condition, and my Buddhist practice. I work primarily in burlap, a natural material that speaks to my love of nature and texture. It’s strong and durable, and I associate it with my life growing up in a hard- working blue-collar family. It’s a material rich with manipulative properties.
I use reclaimed coffee bags that originate from all over the world—each with distinct physical characteristics. Their diverse colors and weaves are unique to their origin and represent the beauty of diversity in the world. I use the inherent qualities and associations of burlap to explore the resilience of the human spirit. No matter how torn or unraveled life becomes, there are ways to patch the pieces back together.
In spite of our diverse humanity, we all share moments of struggle, but through these challenges one can see beauty in the torn and imperfect. It’s an opportunity to patch and repair, and to demonstrate our true strength.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Janet Jaffke is an international fiber and mixed media artist. Born and raised in Chicago, she now resides in a small farm town in Alsace, France. She graduated with a BFA from the Chicago School of the Art Institute where she focused on textile design and fiber art.
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 came across a piece of burlap salvaged from a produce bag and began collaging it onto her paintings. This was the beginning of her fascination with the material. 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 not the supporting 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 magazine, “WovenTale Press.” She has exhibited in Florence, Italy; Chicago, IL; Basel, Switzerland; and Paris, France. She has worked in collaboration with writer Laurie ShoulterKarall who after following her work on social media was inspired to write stories in response to her postings. Their book “Catch” was published in September 2022.
© Janet Jaffke