Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Caldas.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember and for me, art has always just been a part of life. My grandfather always painted and was a photographer. My mother work for an arts-based organization for most of my early childhood and was always buying and collecting art. And my own art was always encouraged. In my life, it was always “I want to be an artist” and that was always supported 100% by my family.
Once I went to school and graduated I had to figure out what being an artist actually meant. I was lucky to get a job right out of Undergrad at the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation. At AVLF I worked in their Domestic Violence program and through this program learned about the kind of work I wanted to make as an artist. My work became about lifting up the stories people weren’t talking about, the stories of those facing violence, marginalization, and other kinds of oppression. Much of the work I make now specifically reflects those issues that women and girls face in their day to day lives, but I have also made work around homelessness, the criminal justice system, gun violence, and more.
Please tell us about your art.
I am a multidisciplinary artist which means that I will use any medium in my work. I draw, I paint, I am a print maker, I perform, I create installations and sculpture…In my practice, I feel it’s important to be open to using a medium that is best going to tell the story I am trying to tell or share the experience I hope to share. Outside of medium, my work is driven by stories and how those stories connect to the world at large. I am interested in people’s experiences and how those experiences are shaped by the world and how those experiences shape people.
For a long time, all of this has meant my work is often informed by trauma. The trauma of homelessness, the trauma of intimate partner violence, the trauma of sexual assault, the trauma of a broken criminal justice system, and so on. In our world, these are the many kinds of trauma that have become mundane. Despite their pervasiveness, many of these experiences are misunderstood by those outside of them, and despite their commonness they continue to shake people up and tear them apart, often with little aid, acceptance, or understanding from the rest of the world.
So, my work centers trauma and the stories tied to trauma as a way to create space for conversation, education, empathy, and growth. I want to challenge people who don’t know very much about these things. I want to open up those who do and know it intimately. And I want for these people to interact together.
The stories I work with are sometimes my own, sometimes they belong to friends or family, and sometimes I learn them through research or advocacy and volunteer work. Aside from the trauma itself, I am also keenly interested in the specific people who belong to these stories. I am curious who they were, who they are now, and how they have moved forward. So, my work has also become about healing.
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
I think any life can be a struggle but one of the hardest things for artists is the ways folks devalue our work, often without even thinking about it. I can’t count the number of times folks have asked me to give them artwork for free or tried to get me to work for them without pay. And often, when I am paid, it is at a rate that is really untenable for any true profession. This may be my passion but it is also my career and profession and it should be treated as such.
I’d also encourage folks to go out to all sorts of arts events. Most of us already do this without thinking about it but there is SO MUCH happening in Atlanta all the time. I’m always happy to give suggestions to folks on where to go see art, so go see it! And if you like what you see, buy it! When you see art online you like, tell the artist! And better yet, see if you can afford to put some in your home!
Also, encourage your city to fund art projects. More and more Atlanta do this (anyone seen those rad bike racks and utility boxes around the city). We should have so much more art in our city but we need people to tell the city that and support it! And private companies can support too-most have some sort of art in their hallways-make sure it’s local! Or like NCR’s new headquarters, get a bunch of local muralists in there to paint the walls! There are so many creative ways to support artists and the art community!
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I show around the city of Atlanta very frequently in group and solo shows. Currently I’m preparing for my final year of graduate school at Georgia State University so I’ll be having a big thesis exhibition this time next year! Until then you can find updates about my work and where to see it at www.jessicacaldas.com or on Instagram (@zinkaproject).
You can also contact me on my website or Instagram if you’re interested in any of my work or a commission. I’m also always open to studio visits with folks. Buying artwork is always a great way to support artists!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jessicacaldas.com
- Phone: 7062546750
- Email: jessica.r.caldas@gmail.com
- Instagram: zinkaproject
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=4923144
- Twitter: zinkaproject
Image Credit:
Artist
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