estilo wei artist spotlight
Jordan Alexzandra
Follow on IG @jordanalexzandraearth Featured collection: COTTON
Jordan is a visual artist specializing in ceramics and paint. She is from Philadelphia and currently lives in Lancaster where she studies Psychology, Anthropology, and English at Millersville University. We ventured through Jordan’s work space and where she creates and molds her magic. Below is her collection, Cotton.
Recently I have fallen in love with naturally dying silk and yarn. Very quickly, I was exposed to the world of textiles and fiber art. I realized that clay isn’t the only medium I could work with. The repetition of the loom, foraging for elderberries, and unraveling thrifted sweaters were activities that filled my summer. Without my outlet for clay, I felt disoriented, but textiles quickly captured my attention. I didn't want to pause either mediums during the semester. I wanted to bridge the gap between my love for minimalism, my interest in pre-columbian clay forms, and the purity of cotton and silk. I desire that this work also sparks conversation of African - American history. The embodiment of being one of the few black students in college in most of my classes, it is a conversation that follows me. Clay as a direct connection to the multiple cultures that make me who I am, to cotton that cloaks not only a dark history but to the environmental costs of the plant.
I’ve been an artist throughout my entire life, but it wasn’t until recently that I called myself a ceramicist. My work has gone through a long journey of finding the perfect medium, which is now clay.
Everyone is constantly surrounded by art, I believe my acknowledgement of beauty is translated throughout my own work. I personally create for myself to seek relaxation, it is my own therapy.
Although my favorite medium, clay has its setbacks. For example, drying time does not slow down just because I am a full time psychology student. Also in my studio there is a phenomenon called the “Kiln Gods”. They are the ones who watch over your work when they are firing. There have been countless times of when a glaze firing misfires resulting in a color catastrophe. All of these setbacks are learning moments of teaching me to be patient and more in tune with my work.
I’ve been told that I have a very eclectic taste in music. I love all genres of music from psychedelic rock to soul. My favorite songs by far are Jimi Hendrix - Little Wing, Lauren Hill - To Zion, CLAY - orange, and Hiatus Kaiyote & Q - Tip - Nakamarra!
My first ceramic focused art class was in highschool. Katherine Shields, a woman who I adore, played Lauren Hill and Beyonce all the time. Whenever I feel that I am stuck within a project, all I have to do is play a song and I’m okay. The music brings me back to a time where everything was new and easy, I am forever grateful for that.
If pre- Colombian forms and Pueblo architecture made a love child under the setting sun, I like to think that would be my artwork. Earth is such an inspiration that my medium and the way I present my work is all entangled. I’m in love with the minimalism movement at the moment as well.
Everyday should not be a routine. There are some days that every vessel or painting you create will be skewed. Please do not take it out on yourself! I truly believe there are some days your energy should go towards cleaning your tools, your studio space, and sketching. If you're a ceramic artist, take the time to reclaim clay, if you're an oil painter, take the time to clean your palettes.
