Jill King-Wynn

What’s Left? was created during the 2020 Quarantine out of leftoverscraps in my studio...

I incorporated some fabrics that embody a rose-colored America such as Toile and Early American cloth that depicts colonizers coming to America and trading with Native Americans. This embellished artwork embraces the idea that what is left in our country, does not live up the ideals of our Founding Fathers.

My sculptures inhabit and confront challenging themes such as memoryand loss, darkness and light, intimacy and seduction. For inspiration, I look at forces of nature: topographical images of hurricanes and Hubble Space telescope images. Capturing emotional states or the energy of now, I use that impetus as fuel to drive my process. I begin many of my works by drawing gesturally with wire or steel rods - twisting, melting and manipulating until the armature speaks to me. My three dimensional artworks are formed by stretching an opaque fabric over these linear steel constructions. My airy sculptures look like floating, celestial cloud formations or other-worldly figures that have come to life.

How does your eye move through the sculpture? Did you make any intentional choices to make that happen?

"What's Left?"- Move your eye through the moving wire and floating forms, discover new materials and hidden messages.

I created this artwork out of steel wire that I can bend and manipulate gesturally, like I was taking a line on a confused journey. I also incorporated some fabrics that embody a rose-colored America such as Toile and Early American cloth, that depicts colonizers coming to America and trading with Native Americans. 

What role does the artist play in society? 

The artist is a mirror that reflects what they see. They learn how to use their energy to manipulate materials in order to present a distinctive way of viewing the reflection.

What art/artist/style are you most interested in? 

I appreciate art that comes from the gut. One of my current favorite artists is Petah Coyne, her mixed media, ephemeral sculptures,

incorporate unusual materials such as; dead fish, mud, sticks, hay, hair, wax, ribbons, silk flowers, velvet, statuary, taxidermy birds...   

Her poetic, other-worldly works speak of both the beauty and tragedy of life.

Do you have an idealized or dream project? If so, explain.

I envision a large-scale public project for a light-filled open space like an airport. I plan to create an uplifting, dynamic, installation with a Galactic theme. The artwork would be created out of twisted steel, moving LED lights, glass and sewn/painted parachute fabrics.

If the sculpture could talk, what would it say?

This embellished artwork embraces the idea that what is left in our country, does not live up the ideals of our Founding Fathers.

What do you think is unique about your artistic process?

I work very gesturally with steel and wire which allows me to work more intuitively.

Can you explain the materials you use and why you use them?

I twist and manipulate steel rods and rigid wire until the form speaks to me. Next, I glue and sew fabrics onto the form to add volume and interest. I chose fabric because it conforms nicely to my structures. My works are inspired by living forms in nature, such as a seed under a microscope or a gaseous cloud like a nebula floating in the galactic universe. Like a naturalist or a spaceman, ,I am an explorer.

What are you working on now?

I am working on a large-scale wall sculpture inspired by a cosmic nebula, that looks like a mysterious eye floating in space.