Jasimen Phillips: A Selection of Paintings
LA-based painter Jasimen Phillips mesmerizes us with her color palettes + abstract interpretation of the human experience. According to her artist statement, “My art work explores the relationship between representations and interpretations of human experience through an introspective lens. With pieces that are rooted in abstraction, my objective is to invite the viewer to generate new insights from both real and imagined existences.” following numerous exhibits in 2018, she’ll be exhibiting in a group show at Shockboxx gallery, opening January 12th from 7:00-9:00pm + a solo show later this year. we chatted with her about color, los angeles + what’s next.
Asymmetric Magazine: Thanks for chatting with us! Congrats on your upcoming exhibits. We love your use of color (especially all the pink tones). Can you tell us a bit about your thought process for working with certain colors?
Jasimen Phillips: It’s funny that the first thing people recognize about my paintings are the colors, because when I started drawing and creating, I only used grayscale graphite and charcoal. It was, in a way, my way of hiding my work—like grayscale was demure and subtle and would allow me to create what I wanted, but at the same time not have it be judged by others. It actually wasn’t until I studied in Mexico for a summer and visited La Casa Azul in 2008 that I began experimenting with color. Seeing the works of Frida Kahlo in person, in their element, has probably had the greatest impact on my exploration and uninhibited use of color. As for my thought process when it comes to color, I’m somehow trying to capture the sublime or surreal.
when it comes to color, I’m somehow trying to capture the sublime or surreal.
AM: What other visual artists do you draw inspiration from?
JP: Picasso, Dali, Pollock, and Basquiat. Contemporary LA-based artists whose works I admire are Alex Israel, Floyd Strickland, Richard Bruland, and Mark Bradford.
AM: Does Los Angeles play a role in your work and/or approach as an artist?
JP: I was born and raised in LA, so I’d say my artistic approach is reflective of LA, which looks completely different for different people and from different lenses. Like Inglewood meets Westwood meets Skid Row meets the South Bay. If you picture a mash-up of all those places on a canvas, I guess that would be my creative style.
// photo courtesy of the artist
AM: What themes do you typically pursue in your work?
JP: I try not to pursue a specific theme and just let the colors and marks be the guide. However, some recurring themes within my work are beauty within imperfection and symbolic interactionism.
AM: What music are you currently listening to?
JP: My go-to music genres are DrumnBass, Dancehall, and GoGo, but my current playlist includes Marshmello, Ty Dolla $ign, and Sampha. Seriously, Sampha is the most underrated musical talent out right now.
AM: What can we expect to see at your January shows and upcoming solo show?
JP: I’ll be exhibiting in another show with ShockBoxx Gallery from January 12th -26th. The work exhibited is a mixed-media rotated canvas abstraction. After that, I’ll begin work on my 20/20 Series, a project where I’ll commence one new piece a day for 20 days, eventually culminating into works to be presented in a solo exhibition within the next year.
// Oh Hey Ed Ruscha is opening at Shockboxx Gallery in Hermosa Beach Saturday, January 12 7:00-9:00pm. More info.
// View more of Jasimen’s work at jasimen.com.
