Jessica Hargwood is an American female artist known for developing her own special technique that allows her to sculpt acrylic paint and manipulate it in nontraditional ways. Her art is highly influenced by her biracial identity and femininity, which she addresses in her work through the selection of vibrant colors and working with paint as a sculptural medium.

Hargwood’s art is found at the cross between traditional painting and sculpture, as a reflection of her personal identity of existing between two worlds as a biracial women. Her process challenges traditional conceptions of what a painting is, the same way she objects societal labels. The use of vibrant colors are meant to distance herself from skin colors as much as possible.

Personal struggles, feelings of grief after a miscarriage and racial inequality are reoccurring motifs in her work. The artist’s introverted personality is left behind through the cathartic process of creation, where she is not afraid of addressing tough emotions, as ultimately she sees it as a sign of growth.

Knowing from a young age that art was more than a passion, she deepened her knowledge and refined her skills during her academic years at The College of New Jersey.

Her work has been exhibited in galleries and shows in Chelsea, New York and New Jersey, making their way into private collections. Since 2019, she's been focusing on her artistic career with the help of STATE OF THE ART AGENCY.

STATEMENT

My artistic philosophy is to constantly challenge and reinvent the materiality of paint while exploring different facets of my biracial identity. My relationship with paint is what makes my work unique. To me, it is more than a medium; it takes on a conceptual element to enhance the meanings behind my work.

Working with paint as a sculptural medium reflects my personal identity of existing between two worlds as a biracial woman. I aim to challenge traditional ideas we have of what a painting is, the same way I aim to challenge ideas of societal labels. I strive to create art that is both abstract and can be interpreted in different ways by different people, but it has to be deeply personal to me. It is important that each work or series stems from my personal journey.

At first glance, my work is bright, bold, and playful, however they are a juxtaposition that relates to deeper topics of identity, race, and femininity. Making artwork is a very cathartic process for me, and I am not afraid to put my most personal struggles onto a canvas. It ultimately helps me grow.

www.jessicahargwood.com

@jessicahargwood