Jordan Ismaiel considers themselves a painter who makes paintings rather than an artist, a distinction they made before we met in person, during our initial conversations. I was intrigued by this proclamation and that intrigue continued as I had the pleasure of hosting Jordan for 10 days during the February MakeRoom Artist Residency . Jordan proved to be a talented painter, a kind soul and wise beyond their young years. During the artist reception which was hosted for Jordan the audience was amazed and delighted to hear their opinion on painting, time, place, identity, love and longing.
As Jordan first arrived to start their 10 days at MakeRoom they appeared a bit nervous and a withdrawn but as time passed and more and more of the residency was experienced Jordan showed themselves to be warm, funny and deeply thoughtful.
To get just a hint of what I’m referring to take a look at the 8 questions asked of MakeRoom Artist Residents.
1. What does the MakeRoom Artist Residency mean to you?
The MakeRoom Artist Residency means to me what I feel it may mean for the other artists who have also entered this space. To enter a completely new space and have the ability to simply work is a means within itself. Coming to this space as a pause from my “regular life” has given me a different point of view on the work that I am making and the usual surroundings that I create for myself or find myself in. Since being here, I have thought more critically about what my work means for me, at least at this point in my life. Ultimately, the opportunity to be here has been a very fortunate and generous one.
2. How will your time at MakeRoom allow you to investigate, explore or deepen your work?
My time at MakeRoom has been interesting in terms of what I have been exploring in my work in context with time. Ten days allows for a plan to develop and change completely within the last few moments, as does most time. I have had the opportunity to think critically about the application of my practice with some things taking 10 minutes while other things took the entire 10 days to develop and process. Thinking about time as a vital aspect of any artist’s working practice, I ask myself how important time is in the process of making and what comes of different periods of allotted time on the product of a process. I have found, at this point, that some of the best things have come from quick impulse decisions in order to aid in longer projects.
3. In 10 words or less, what have you learned while at MakeRoom?
Use a possible opportunity that presents you with an experience.
4. What is your favorite tool or skill in life?
I think my favorite tool or skill in life is the ability to create something for myself that others seem to connect with in similar ways that I do. Or at least just to make something. What that something may be may offer limitless possibilities.
5. In 3 words, what do artists/makers/creators offer the world?
Love and questions
6. Share a podcast, book or film that I should know about, something that really has you thinking.
I would say my favorite book as of right now would be worth considering sharing: Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayless and Ted Orland. This book was recommended to me by a professor for its questions that are raised within the text on the processes of artmaking. After reading this book initially, I was left really considering everything I had known at that point in time on art-making and what that really meant. I find myself constantly going back to the text, referencing it again and again to others as a book that aids in thinking about what it means to create and what abilities and responsibilities the individual holds as the creator.
7. What is on your bucket list?
As of right now, things on my bucket list include going to graduate school, becoming a professor, helping people, and living the life I was meant to be living.
8. Shapes, colors or words – pick your favorite.
Words. Words have the ability to inform and alter how an individual sees shape and color; especially those in context with each other.