Isla Jones
My practice at the moment is centred around the idea of world-making and narratives, exploring depictions of strange figures existing in barren, dystopian environments; I like making work that very slightly departs from normality, often embodying a sense of mutation or transformation. Instagram: @strangeisland
Many of the drawings that I've made over the past year or so have explored the synchronicities and parallels that we as humans have with the world around us, as well as with one another - often, I'll use imagery of doppelgängers or doubles in my drawings for this reason. Ideas about duality and fragmentation of the self are also a significant part of the work. My background is in collage and photography, and using drawing as my primary medium is a fairly recent development. Collage in particular really lends itself to bizarre image-making, which is something that I've been able to carry through to my drawing practice.
Where would you like your work to take you?
Up to this point, I've primarily only shown work in fine art/gallery spaces - this is something that I'd like to continue - but I also want to illustrate books at some point. I try to make work that treads a bit of a line between illustration and fine art, so going forward I like the idea of making work that exists in a variety of spaces.
Which part of your creative process do you enjoy most?
Usually, I struggle a bit with starting a piece (and this is often the most time-consuming part) but after I've got a sketch mapped out I really enjoy the rest of the process, especially adding all the fine details and intricacies. I can also get very preoccupied with filling in bigger spaces with tiny marks and lines.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
Growing up in Northumberland and spending a lot of my childhood in the Outer Hebrides really instilled in me this sense of attachment to nature and the wilderness. My work has been heavily influenced by these early memories of rural landscapes, and certain elements of mystery and strangeness that are often associated with them. I also draw a lot of inspiration from ideas about interpersonal relationships/states of solitude.
What piece of music would you say compliments your work the most?
When I started this drawing project I was listening to the album 'Titanic Rising' by Weyes Blood non-stop (she is incredible), so if I were to choose a piece of music to compliment my work then it would probably be something from that. Lots of lurking apocalyptic undertones and very beautiful - the album cover is great too and was photographed by Brett Stanley.
Can you list a couple other creatives/friends/people you look to for inspiration?
I'm so lucky to have a lot of wonderful and creative people in my life! @livdaisydesign, @milo_gibson, @jankyhands are a few of my very talented creative friends who are on Instagram. I come from a family of artists, too, so I get a lot of insight and advice from them. Wangechi Mutu & Kiki Smith are two of my favourite contemporary artists. Photographers like Claude Cahun, Francesca Woodman, Dora Maar & Emila Medková, who were all making work through the 1900s are big influences also.
