12" x 16"
Oil on canvas 2024
@j.letten_art
Jill Letten is an artist from Hamilton, Ontario, accredited with a BFA from McMaster University in 2021. She specializes in contemporary acrylic painting, blending pockets of abstraction within realistic representation. Her work delves into the concept of 'Anemoia,' defined as “a nostalgic longing for a past you have never experienced.” Drawing inspiration from mid-century aesthetics and imagery, Jill explores themes of social euphoria and rose-tinted idealism. By layering visuals from the past to be viewed in a modern context, her art invites viewers to engage with past lives through a relatable or critical lens, prompting reflection upon the romanticized narratives surrounding historical prosperity.
Jill's work has been exhibited in galleries such as Glenhyrst Art Gallery, Cedar Ridge Gallery, Art Gallery of Peterborough, and The Art Gallery of Hamilton. In 2023, she completed artist residencies with the Art of Creation through the AGH and McMaster University, and with Centre[3].
THE STORY:
I am an emerging contemporary realist artist creating acrylic paintings on wood panels. Finding images from library public domain archives to reference in my paintings, I am fascinated with images from idealized periods of economic growth which favoured depicting an ephemeral veneer of “perfectionism.” Inspired by these historical images, I paint figures from the past, often re-colourizing them to evoke a sense of familiarity and bridge the temporal gap. This process reflects the concept of ‘anemoia,’ a “nostalgic sense of longing for a past you yourself have never lived,” playing into the concept of rose-tinted idealism.
My goal is to create a space of reflection on how we perceive images from the past as passive viewers of it, whether that be with rosy retrospection or critique. Layering images of bygone eras, I aim to create complexity using color and form, situating pockets of abstraction within realistic representation to depict the chaos of consumerist culture. Embedding within the artwork critiques of modern society, rampant in its embrace of a throw-away culture, driven by industrialization and mass consumerism. Through layered visuals, I invite viewers to confront these parallels between past and present, urging reflection upon the romanticized narratives surrounding historical prosperity.
*Please note: Purchased works are available for pickup on Sat. Oct 5th from 12-3pm, otherwise, arrangements will be made between collectors and buyers directly following the Art Circuit.