Meet Roxanne Jackson | Artist: Ceramic Sculptor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Roxanne Jackson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Roxanne, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Taking risks has been essential to my growth. In one of my previous lives I was a river guide, navigating the wild terrain and whitewater of various rivers in California, Alaska and Nepal (among others). We would ‘scout’ dangerous rapids when possible—meaning, we would eddy out, pulling the raft to the shore upstream and hike down to ‘read’ the rapid, to better navigate our path through it. This practice of looking at something scary and intimidating, like a big rapid, and then plowing through it anyway (while being responsible for the lives of others), really taught me something about risk taking. It fortified a strength in me that I am able to apply to my creative practice. I am always pushing to be more brave as an artist and with my work.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I am very driven by discovering what I can do with this material. An excerpt from my artist statement reads: My work blazes a new path to reinvent craft and disrupt expectations of ceramic sculpture. By approaching ceramics from many different perspectives, using a variety of materials and techniques, I exploit this medium and question conventional notions of beauty — while finding beauty in the unexpected.

The way I got to where I am today is that I have learned to work with my obsessions in a productive way — in other words, I have learned how to direct those obsessions into the making of my sculptures. I make work about the things that I love and I make sculptures that I want to look at… I channel the extra ‘psychic’ energy I experience, which can be overwhelming at times, into my studio practice. I have picked a medium that benefits me: clay is grounding — which is something I need as a fiery personality.

I have also learned to nurture the studio practice – the actual creation of work, as opposed to trying to figure out my ‘career.’ Opportunities come from the work, so I put the energy there. Success is the result of a dedicated art practice.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I love the tar pits! And natural history museums in general. The museum at the tar pits has real dire wolf skulls, as well as bones from woolly mammoths and Saber-tooth cats. I find the idea that remnants of extinct animal bones being preserved for years in tar absolutely fascinating; it’s like reading the past in an object. Fossils, bones, minerals, pearls — to me they all hold magical secrets — they are an endless source of inspiration.

One of my favorite things to do in cities is to explore it by walking long distances. LA has so much to explore! One of the most special characteristics to me of Los Angeles is the natural landscape embedded within the city; I recommend wandering through botanical gardens, to view California’s native plants, and parks — like Griffith Park, with its spectacular views of the L.A basin and the ocean beyond. When in L.A. eat tacos. I love visiting taco trucks. For shopping there are so many amazingly good thrift stores (like Wasteland) and witch stores for all of your colored candles and other charm essentials!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I have surrounded myself by a community of people / friends, who are supportive of one another. I have friends who get excited about my work and it feels very special to me. In turn, I try to do the same, supporting my community for their achievements – whether that means doing a deep cleaning on their home, making a new sculpture or painting, or doing a headstand.

My father (rest in peace and power) was the biggest supporter of me becoming an artist. At a very young age, he would draw for me and I would color in his silly and creative doodles. He would compliment how well I colored within the lines. Like my dad, I consistently made things on my own. When I was an undergraduate student earning straight A’s and a botany degree, it was my dad who literally said to me, “what are you doing mija? why aren’t you taking any art classes?” * He didn’t care about my good grades earning a science degree because he knew that I was an artist. His encouragement led to me take some art classes starting with painting and drawing; they nicely offset my other studies. It wasn’t until I took ceramics that my life would be put on its path. I am incredibly grateful that he pressured me the way he did.

* Mija means ‘my girl’ in Spanish

Website: www.roxannejackson.com

Instagram: roxannejackson_

Image Credits
Studio portrait of me: Photo Credit: Emily McElwreath, The Art Career Podcast Photos of individual sculptures: Photo Credit: Joshua Simpson Photography The one photo (2nd image) of the installation: Photo Credit: The Hole NYC