New Zealand fashion and lifestyle blog

The artist known as Jinx

Thread chatted with Wellington-based Austrian artist Jinx about her works painted in a dreamy style inspired by Surrealism and Fantastic Realism…

Jinx in the Sky

“Paint is my favourite medium of expressing myself”.

Wellington-based Artist, Jinx places an emphasis on symbols and metaphors in her paintings, which she believes are present in our dreams to disguise the wonderful, the terrible, our fears, wishes and hopes.

Originally from Austria, Jinx moved to New Zealand in 2006, lived in Auckland for two years, then moved to Wellington in 2008 and has literally made her mark in several New Zealand galleries and venues including Te Papa Museum, where her art has been exhibited. I interviewed her about her art work…

What are some of the main inspirations behind your art?
Dreams I find enormously interesting and inspiring. Day to day life exists in your sleeping head in form of symbols and metaphors and emotions that are often so much stronger than they are in the waking life.
Emotions are also a big part…they drive me to paint my heart out – I need to do it. Dreams and emotions cry out inside my head until I paint them, then they can rest. Paint is my favourite medium of expressing myself, rather than words.

Below: Jinx’s exhibition at Willis York salon in Wellington.

Are there any artistic movements or artists that have inspired your work?
When I was about 17 my art teacher introduced me to surrealism. Especially the works of Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dali, Rene Magritte and the like rang a bell inside my heart. I felt at home in this style and it helped my own art grow. I started painting my dreams and later on discovered Ernst Fuchs & the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism which is also a style I can closely relate to today.
My favourite artist list, of course, is endless but here’s a couple: Salvador Dali, Hieronymus Bosch, Rene Magritte, Frida Kahlo, Lori Earley, Chris Berens, Fuco Ueda, Dino Valls, Luis Royo.
I also like to borrow huge books from the library mostly about artists from a long time ago. I like reading about their life and what influenced/ inspired them.

How long have you been painting for?
Ever since childhood I was drawing and I remember winning various prizes in school competitions, but I really started painting dreams and developing my own style when I was about 17 and I started my dream journal, a habit I still continue, which is a big source of inspiration for my art. Art is really the main thing that interested me, that had meaning and purpose to pursue.

In what ways has your art evolved?
My style has split in half over the past few years. On the one hand I have my very detailed and mostly larger scale acrylics, and on the other hand there’s my small scale, messy and free illustration type paintings that have a bit of a childlike feel. I like both but I have realized they can’t be combined, so now each has their own space and if I feel like creating in lots of detail & really spell things out (and want to spend forever on a piece) I go large. Or if I feel a sudden urge to quickly paint last nights dream but I don’t want to worry about proportion or things being so refined I go for a small piece of paper. Material-wise my art has evolved in being on canvas & wood as well as paper. Subject-wise, I still paint mainly women, as they represent myself and my feelings in most cases. I have recently grown out my fringe which interestingly is also showing in the hair my ladies are sporting in the paintings.

Below: Jinx wears her Jinx in the Sky jewellery.

Where do you see yourself in ten years time?
I’d like to make a living off my art and other things I love and learn and improve on what I do. I hope I will have shown my art overseas as well.

For more information on Jinx, see www.diamondsoul.synthasite.com and her blog at www.jinx-in-the-sky.blogspot.co.nz
Find Jinx on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JinxintheSky and on Tumblr www.jinx-in-the-sky.tumblr.com

Jinx’s work is also available for purchase and viewing at the following places:

WELLINGTON:
from 5th November @ Design Cartel
Duke’s Arcade, Corner Willis/ Manners
https://www.facebook.com/designcartel.nz
(Original Art, Prints, Postcards, Jewellery)

Dr Morse INC Tattoo Studio
Level 4, James Smith Building, 55 Cuba Street
https://www.facebook.com/DrMorseIncTattooStudio
(Original Art)

Every first Saturday of the month @ The Mighty Mighty Market
Upstairs 104 Cuba Street
https://www.facebook.com/themightymightymarket
(Prints, Postcards, Jewellery)

AUCKLAND:
Tiny Space
Shop 17, St Kevin’s Arcade
https://www.facebook.com/tinyspace
(Postcards)

Nature Art & Design
18 St. Benedicts Street
https://www.facebook.com/NatArtDes
(Prints, Postcards, Jewellery)

By Reema Alfouir 21 October 2012


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