Jamaican-born artist, Gavin Jordan, has set out on an artistic odyssey, motivated by a deep-seated passion to illuminate the unappreciated beauty within life’s fleeting moments. Through his alluring masterpieces, Jordan beckons observers to delve into profound feelings and limitless creativity, moving beyond isolated tales.
Jordan’s masterpieces have graced esteemed locations and occasions such as the group showcase “Home Is Where the Art Is” at The ROK Hotel, Kingston, Jamaica, his individual show “Moments In Time” at The Sky Gallery, Kingston, Jamaica, and the collective display “The Liguanea Art Festival” in Kingston, Jamaica.
As an active member of the Black Artists and Designers Guild and the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, Jordan is deeply involved in the art sphere, nurturing relationships and fostering collaborations.
Q & A with artist Gavin Jordan
How would you describe the style of your work?
I would classify my work as modern impressionism. It still falls within the realm of impressionism as I aim to depict the fleeting and transient nature of a moment and the emotions it evokes. It’s modern due to my use of mixed media with traditional impressionist techniques.
Have you ever doubted your talent, and how did you work through your doubts?
I still do. Given that I am a self-taught artist, there is always the imposter feeling as I have yet to take the traditional route of most artists, which is to do a degree in fine arts and get accepted by a major gallery to show work. I remember the first time I showed my work publicly, and I was so afraid to speak to someone interested in my work as I wasn’t sure how to speak like an artist.
I worked through those doubts by trusting the process and instinct that my work was good and worthy enough to be among the best. Additionally, it helps to get validation from my family and friends.
Can you see the finished product in your mind before you begin to work on it?
Yes, to a certain extent. I start every painting with an idea of what I want to portray in my head. However, it only sometimes goes according to plan, and the painting may evolve as a go-along. It’s like the painting dictates how it wants to be shown.
What does success as an artist mean to you?
It means being internationally recognized among the best artists in the world. It means my paintings have formed an emotional bond with my collectors. It means being known as the best in my niche. It means being able to replace my previous corporate income. It means living a life on my terms. It means being able to share my god given gifts with the world. It means inspiring someone else to make the leap and live with purpose.
If you could have been in anyone’s studio, whose would it have been?
It sounds cliche, but Pablo Picasso. He’s known as the most prolific painter in history. It would be great to understand his process and learn how to be as prolific as he was while maintaining the quality of the works being produced.
What is the best advice that you have been given creatively?
Finish every painting. When I just started painting, I often got frustrated throughout the painting process, and I had a habit of destroying the paintings I didn’t like instead of finishing them. I eventually realized that every painting goes through what I call an ugly phase; this is when you are underpainting and building the layers. The key is to enjoy the process rather than trying to reach the finish line. This took me a while to get the hang of.
Do you have a favorite or most satisfying part of your creative process?
Yes, when I finish the painting with details and highlights. It’s like when you’re redecorating a house and completing that fresh coat of paint that brings everything to life. This is what it feels like.
Has one person or several people inspired your work? Or has it been something internal?
A lot of it is internal. However, there are several artists whose work I have admired who have inspired and influenced me in one way or another.
What was the first work of art that mattered to you? Did it influence your approach to your work?
The first work of art that mattered to me was a piece called “Majesty.” Majesty was made from a reference photo of my mother and me when I was a baby. I wanted the painting to be a statement piece in my exhibition, and I also wanted it to have some amount of sentimental value. My mother has roots in the Ethiopian Orthodox church, and my father is a Rastafarian; I wanted the painting to reflect these two sides I got from both parents. This painting caused me to do a little research and use symbolism in the painting, which I had never done before.
Tell me about your most recent work and its motivation.
My current project is a set of works with the theme “Inhabiting.” The theme was introduced to me by a gallery that asked me to show my work, and it just sparked a lot of imagination in my mind. The project looks at inhabiting the African American context, which is meant to highlight our physical presence in a place while conveying a sense of detachment and displacement from our surroundings.
How do you know when life situations need to become art?
It’s hard to put a finger on it, but everything I paint has to speak to me on a spiritual and emotional level. So those life moments and situations which speak to your spirit and leave an indelible mark in your consciousness are worthy of being immortalized through art.
How has art helped you understand this world better, and what needs clarity?
Art has caused me to recognize the importance of being present today, to value fleeting time, and to understand the human connection on a deeper level. It has caused me to open my eyes to the dangers of singular narratives propagated by the media, which influence our thinking and interactions with each other.
What is perfection to you in the context of your work?
This is a very interesting question because I have been driven creatively by an insatiable need to create the best artwork. Perfection, in the context of my work, is accessing my viewer’s inner thoughts and conversing with them spiritually, bringing out vulnerable emotions and transporting them to a familiar place and time.
What was the most memorable piece of art you’ve ever seen?
Devolved Parliament by Banksky. The size and details of the painting are breathtaking, and it’s a painting depicting chimpanzees overtaking the British parliament. This type of satirical painting, as it relates to politicians, is very related.
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