JAN MORGEN
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jan Morgen grew up in Skokie, Illinois, a small Chicago village. In her day it was prairie country, only a few thousand. Slowly over time it became a huge Jewish community of refugees. Her mom was from Berlin. Her dad was from Vienna. She is sure all that past is in her work, though in a strong filter. First and foremost her work is about the work itself. How the image holds up, materials, how it moves to fine art, the painterly issues of a piece. Yet, there is always a hidden psychological element that quietly stirs in her work.
When she started working in this unique way—it evolved from a lot of previous work she did on paper. At the time it was expressionistic and tribal, but she always "dug into" the paper. It was something she was driven to do.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I paint on the ground. Paper mounted onto the wood. Layer- mark-scrape-paint. Layer-mark-scar. Building its history, like mine. The process unfolds and becomes the work, alert in the moment. Breath-pause. Capturing mistakes and discovery. The marks that came before creates what’s now. On and on. No real beginning or end, yet they are all part of each other and create the whole. Showing down to hear within, I have found my voice. Guidance and divine forces move me to inner clarity. I listen. My paintings speak of an understanding from a deep, mossy place within me—life, forgiveness, connectedness, purpose.
One thing I love about my work is how the light changes what is hidden and revealed. Some days the paintings will almost look like white-out. Barely any lines or markings show. I love the hidden nature of my work, it constantly changes what you see and don’t over time. As outside light travels throughout the day -as shadows glaze over the work you will see my hand. Many hidden elements come and go , sometimes direct light will flatten it out , the pieces evolve in light, texture, color. Darker mornings, sunset light reflect different movement and awareness. As does standing close or far. Look from the side and see my breath and hand.
