#IRL🦄is a solo exhibition by East London based artist Amy Jackson. Over 15 years after Jackson’s Cleaning Squares, (a conceptual art piece about mental illness) was launched, the artist is unveiling a new happening reflecting the strange times we find ourselves in. #IRL🦄aims to comment upon and cope with the lockdown through art.

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Cleaning Squares commented upon the paradoxical human effort to implement rituals, routines and rules and the way in which these systems consume and engulf us whilst their absence leads to anxiety. Disaster can and will often strike.

The Project like much of Jackson’s early work, explored mental health. In the depths of every human psyche lurks immutable fears. These uncertainties manifest themselves in variations of erratic and irrational behaviour. Often, in an attempt to control these fears control is subsequently lost.

In 2005 Jackson began Cleaning Squares. Daily, she would roll die to determine a location. She cleaned and labelled perfect squares with the time and date of the job. The piece was an ongoing performance piece, documented in a series of books and photographs.

In 2020, over 15 years since Jackson cleaned and labelled her first square on top a portaloo in Leeds, the work has become bizarrely prophetic as the world stands together, shattered and confused about the next steps amidst this global pandemic. This body of work will be exhibited alongside new pieces responding to BCV, DCV and ACV (before, during and after coronavirus times) entitled #iamnotarobot and Portraits of Various Resolutions.

The new work responds to the age we are all living through, full of anger, disappointment and fear for the future. Where the square, once a symbol of purity, control and hope has become one of a prison where we find ourselves trapped.

The performance will be live streamed at 6pm on the 2nd of May, followed by a panel discussion about the work at 7pm. The work will be displayed virtually for the duration of the lockdown. Works will be on sale, with all profits being donated to East London NHS Foundation Trust.

About the Artist

Born Jacqueline Amy Jackson, in 1986 in Leeds. Graduated from Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art at The University of Oxford in 2008. She is an interdisciplinary conceptual artist with 15 years’ experience blending concept, philosophy, science and tools to create immersive experiences in traditional galleries and unconventional spaces. Jackson is also well known for her work in the Responsible Investment space, which she describes as ‘an important part of her activism’. She explores issues such as climate change, conflict, consumerism, social media, mental health and critically, how these themes are inextricably linked. Experience spans public speaking on climate change, responsible investment and group and solo exhibitions. Jackson has several group and solo exhibitions including Cooltzine vol.3 Changes and the highly acclaimed Kensington + Chelsea Art Week.

Instagram: @thisisamyjackson

Twitter: J_Amy_Jackson

Website: thisisamyjackson.com

#IRL🦄 Private View - Solo Exhibition - Amy Jackson

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