Hannah Jeffries

About the artist

As I reflect on my artistic journey, I recall how it began with simple drawings of stick figures and basic scenes, often featuring a solitary tree and a sun in the corner. At the age of 16, I discovered the work of African American artists such as Theaster Gates and Carrie Mae Weems, who profoundly inspired me. Artists like Jean Michel Basquiat, Kerry James Marshall, and Kara Walker also captivated me with their styles and their ability to convey experiences from within the African American community.

As a young African American woman, I have confronted the persistent negative stereotypes that society can impose. These artists served as a testament that one's creativity should never be limited by the color of their skin. I've always had a penchant for hands-on, messy work, utilizing quick strokes and leaving my fingerprints on the page with a variety of materials. I find myself drawn to creating contour drawings filled with bold colors, completing the forms in a way that defies conventional norms of beauty and perfection.

My affinity lies particularly with oil paints, oil mediums, and white gesso. However, I am an avid explorer of various art mediums, including acrylics, charcoal, lithography, printmaking (especially screen printing), clay making, ceramics, sculpture, fabric manipulation (including crochet and textiles), and fibers. I continually strive to become proficient in these mediums, understanding their unique properties and how to incorporate them into my recent pieces. In my artistic evolution, I've learned that my drawings do not have to adhere to traditional notions of perfection. I embrace the beauty of imperfection by elongating figures and exploring the chemistry that emerges when different mediums interact.

With my art, I aspire to become more expressive and, in the future, contribute to my community in the Southside of Chicago. My own personal experiences, notably the absence of my father in my life, have made me acutely aware of what can be lacking for others. I aim to utilize my art to help individuals overcome the formidable barrier of perfection, encouraging them to build self-worth and shatter fictitious standards. I dream of creating interactive art and works that resonate with others on a deep level, leaving a lasting and impactful impression.

About the artwork in the Love Me Like You Love Jesus exhibition

In this series, I aimed to convey the profound impact of the post-2020 world on my art and personal journey. The global events that unfolded during this time left me feeling like the world was collapsing in on itself. Prior to the pandemic, I had established meaningful connections with people and had been actively exploring various art mediums, fully immersed in life. Then, everything came to a halt as Covid-19 necessitated isolation and curfews. I found myself transitioning to digital work, joining Zoom meetings from the comfort of my bed, and slowly losing my artistic motivation and drive. Tragically, I also lost several loved ones during this period, further compounding my sense of loss and disconnection. I felt lost, no longer recognizing who I had become.

My emotional journey during this time encompassed highs and lows, with my social life significantly dwindling. The prospect of interacting with people in person became daunting. However, it was through this isolation that I rediscovered myself, allowing my authentic self to emerge without the need to conform or hide within a group.

This journey culminated in my latest series, "5 Stages of Grief." Each piece in this series delves into my personal experience and the emotions I encountered during and after the tumultuous events of 2020. Music played a pivotal role in guiding the emotions for each stage: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.

Denial: The artwork representing denial evokes a sense of emptiness in the eyes, while lunar moths cover where the ears would be. These moths symbolize the ability to leave behind old ways and embrace new beginnings, echoing the song "Wait a Minute" by Willow Smith.

Anger: In the piece that embodies anger, I painted one face using blue hues and another in raging red. Taped sections were used to mask the transition. When the tape was removed, the blue tranquil expression was revealed beneath the red outbursts, inspired by songs like "Feel" by Kendrick Lamar and "Floor 555" by XXXTENTACION.

Bargaining: For the bargaining stage, I embraced indecisiveness by expressing various images and emotions using both contour and blind contour techniques. The songs "What is Logical" by Crystal Castles and "Something for Your M.I.N.D." by Superorganism inspired this intricate piece.

Depression: To capture the essence of overwhelming emotions that accompany depression, I employed a shifting mix of oil pastels, markers, and a scratch-away tool. I inscribed my thoughts, saved from my lowest moments, and smudged away the dialogue. The song "Help" by Pink Guy resonated deeply with this stage and is featured in the artwork.

Acceptance: Finally, in the stage of acceptance, I sought to embody the idea of becoming a better, truer version of oneself. The medium of oil paints allowed me to convey this sense of self-improvement. A song that was particularly influential during this stage was "Crown" by Kendrick Lamar.

In this series, I have strived to encapsulate the scope of emotions and transformations I underwent, reflecting both my personal experience and the collective sentiments of a world deeply affected by the events of 2020.