ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Jessica Michelle Le Roux (b 1989) is a South African sculptor and interdisciplinary artist. She obtained her BA at the Tshwane University of Technology in 2010, majoring in sculpture and printed image. Her disciplines feed off of one another as Jess frequently crafts a relation between planes and the facets within the environments she creates.
Iconic of the artist's work is her use of negative space, how the beings depicted are grounded, and her vibrant use of textures and colours across disciplines. Her work queries preconceived world views and highlights the consequence of the butterfly effect. In doing so, Jess seeks to bring awareness to our generational perspectives, thought patterns, and our collective impact in the world.
Jess's work resides in corporate and private collections, both locally and internationally. In February 2020, Jess was delighted to showcase with AVA Gallery at Investec Cape Town Art Fair. The artist's work has featured in Sasol New Signatures, Thami Mnyele, and Absa L'Ateliers Art Awards finalist selections. Currently, Jess is working towards a body of work in bronze titled the Senses, which will showcase in 2021. Aside from her art practice, Jess is actively involved in projects and arts initiatives.
ARTIST RESUME
Born 25 February 1989
Modimolle, Limpopo, South Africa.
Currently resides in Heidelberg, Gauteng, South Africa.
TERTIARY EDUCATION
2010 BA Fine and Applied Arts
Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, SA.
Faculties: Ceramics / Two-Dimensional studies
Major in Sculpture and Printed Image
2006 National N3 Certificate, Business Studies
and Office Management,
Umalusi FET College, Nylstroom, SA.
AWARDS / PROGRAMS
2020
Ubiciko Artist Professional Development Programme in association
with Pareto Limited and the Arts & Culture Trust, South Africa.
AAI / ZERO1 Alumni Training, where Art, Science & Tech meet.
2019
Thami Mnyele Fine Arts Awards Finalist, Ekurhuleni, SA.
AAI / American Art Incubator
Selected Participant to aid Arts Social Projects utilizing AR for
Community Upliftment, headed by Ram Devineni. In association with the KZNSA Gallery, ZERO1, U.S. Consulate Durban, the Department of State’s Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs.
2018
RMB Talent Unlocked in partnership with Assemblage and Rand Merchant
Bank. Six-month Mentorship and Professional Practice Program, lead
mentor Lawrence Lemaoana
2017
SASOL New Signatures Finalist in top 100 Selection.
2013
ABSA L'Atelier, Finalist in top 100 Selection, Absa Towers, Johannesburg, SA.
CORPORATE COLLECTIONS
ABSA Group Limited / Hogan Lovells (South Africa) Inc. / Into Africa Film Productions
EXHIBITION RECORD
2021 Forthcoming / African Philosophers Fundraising Art Auction,
co-ordinated by Space Mecca Studios, Johannesburg, SA.
2020 Investec Cape Town Art Fair, Association of Visual Arts featured
artist, Town, SA.
2020 The Home(lands) Series, AVA Gallery running parallel with the
Nando's Creative Exchange Program, Cape Town, SA
2019 Thami Mnyele Fine Arts Awards Finalist, Coen Scholtz Recreation
Centre, Ekurhuleni, SA
2019 Group Exhibition, The Viewing Room, St Lorient, Pretoria, SA.
2019 South African Annual Print Art Fair, Johannesburg, SA.
2019 American Arts Incubator Exhibition, KZNSA Gallery, Durban, SA.
2019 Association of Arts Members Exhibition, Pretoria, SA.
2018 RMB Talent Unlocked, Turbine Art Fair, Turbine Hall, Jhb, SA.
2018 Pretoria Art Museum Group Exhibition, Pretoria, SA.
2018 Allen & Overy War Child Auction Exhibition, Berman Contemporary,
Johannesburg, SA.
2017 South African Print Fair, GIBS, Johannesburg, SA.
2017 Sasol New Signatures Finalists Exhibition, Pretoria Art Museum, SA.
2013 Golder Associates International Orphans fund Art Auction, Midrand, SA.
2013 Alice Touring Exhibition, curated by Gordon Froud, Cape, SA.
2013 Collaboration Exhibition, Meet me at the White Door, Clarens, SA.
2013 Collaboration Exhibition, 4D Gallery, Pretoria, SA.
2012 Collaboration Show, Crimson Studios, Pretoria, SA.
2012 Limited Edition Prints Group Exhibition, Trent Gallery, Pretoria, SA.
2011 South African International Trade Exhibition, E5 Creations,
Gallagher Estate, Johannesburg, SA.
2011 BFA Final Year Exhibition, Unisa, Pretoria, SA.
2010 Politics, Group Exhibition, HAPP Gallery, Pretoria, SA.
2009 Local Artist Collaboration, ArtWise, Pretoria, SA.
2009 Selected undergraduate Bachelor Student Collaboration Show,
Pretoria Art Museum, Pretoria, SA.
PROJECTS
2020 TRAILS Sustainability, KZNSA Gallery, funded by ZERO1 and the
American Arts Incubator, Durban, South Africa
2019 Community upliftment program contributing artist, Collaboration
between ZERO1, the US Consulate Durban & KZNSA Gallery,
Facilitated by Ram Devenini.
2018 Commissioned Artist, Hogan Lovell's Corporate Collection
2018 Collaborating Artist, Workshop linking Youth to the Arts,
St Vincent School for the Deaf, Johannesburg, SA.
2012 Artist commissioned for ABSA head offices project, Soft Touch Art
Advisory, Johannesburg, SA.
2011 Concept Development and Sketch Artist for the Department of
Education, Impact Designs, Pretoria, SA.
2011 Sketch Artist on set for BBC Film Productions for the documentary
of the life story of Leonardo da Vinci, Into Africa Film Productions,
Johannesburg, SA.
2011 Sketch Artist, A & DI Creative Company, Pretoria, SA.
ARTIST STUDIO
ARTIST STATEMENT
“My work queries preconceived worldviews and highlights the consequence of the butterfly effect. In doing so, I seek to bring awareness towards generational perspectives, thought patterns, and our collective impact within society and on the earth. I have an enduring fascination with the definition of a matrix. The secondary pictures in my layered works often show how we would form if the details of the primary image would reform with greater coherence. My work explores the journey of knowledge by depicting scopes of reality in the quiet, thoughtful spaces of the mind.
Many of my depictions deal with trying to represent archetypes of human emotion and existence, reflecting on the worldview by pondering on surrounds and influences. I find creating in a space that steps into our surrounds brings the intention of the work to life."
