By Derek Schlennstedt
The 2018 Dandenong Ranges Open Studio’s wrapped up on 10 May and it was Jessie Yvette Journoud-Ryan who took out the People’s Choice award.
Working with repurposed crockery, her art is described as celebrating nature and lavish tableware, and it was her intricate art piece “Phoenix (Self Portrait): I won’t live a life on my knees”, which won the award and had over 300 people flocking to her studio over the Open Studio weekend.
The French-Australian artist’s work reflects her personal narratives of migration, belonging and cultural heritage.
A struggle with depression and anxiety is inherent in her work, and speaking to the Mail, MS Journoud-Ryan said that working with delicate repurposed crockery was cathartic and cleansing for the soul.
Fables, birds, music and willow patterns all feature in her unique sculptures, though it was while on a trip to Paris to see her family that she found her inspiration for her award winning piece.
“After enduring a debilitating fear of travelling over the last decade, I finally met the challenge … returning to my family in France recently was well overdue”
“At the Château de Nice, I came across a mosaic of a Phoenix and I reflected on my odyssey… rising from the ashes is an apt description for what it feels like to occasionally win the mental health battle.”
In her artwork the use of the colour blue makes a strong presence and Jessie said it reflects what lies beneath for her- the daily struggle with depression and anxiety.
The Phoenix not only course represents Ms Jourmoud-Ryan rising from the ashes of her mental health but also in her art where she creates beautiful artwork from that which has been broken.
“I suppose in my art there’s the underlying narrative of rebuilding something from what’s broken and I think that reflection is of my own life too.”Community Cultural Development Officer at Burrinja Toni Main said all the art works in this year’s Open Studios were impressive and noted the proounfd impact that Ms Jourmoud-Ryan’s art piece had on visitors.
“It is fabulous to see Jessie winning the People’s Choice Award for 2018 … The Phoenix is a piece which shows her growth as an artist, and takes her work to a whole new level,” Ms Main said.
Tied second for the award were Gerard Russo for ‘Extractor’ & Ches Mills for her series “Littoral Reflections #1 to #4”
To view the Phoenix or to find out more information about Ms Journoud-Ryan’s work go to; http://www.jessiejournoudryan.com
