Influences

Throughout my life, there has been family members, boyfriends, teachers, artists and friends etc who have often inspired me to create artworks. However there has been a select few who deserve a mention by name.

My first great influence towards my desire to create art was definitely my Pa; Robert Jackson. From a young age I remember aspiring to be just like him and hoped that some day I too would have my work displayed proudly around my home. I have great love and respect for this man who still reminds me that my art should not just be a source of income, but a way to relax and find assimilation with my consciousness. Although a landscape artist whose work remains on opposite scales to my own, the images he paints are indicative of every artists search for identity.

Meeting the artist; Lawrence Daws at his home when I was about twelve, planted the seed of reality, that art was an accessible vocation. I was able to see first hand his studio and lifestyle. From that day I knew for sure what I was going to be when I grew up.

The third major influence I recall gave me the faith in my abilities and gave me the spine of independence.

This man was Brian Keefe, my literature teacher at high school, whom indirectly also saved my life.

My uncle; Paul Fagan is also a man who saved my life. He helped me to understand my parents divorce, and remained a constant sounding board for personal issues and my search for self as I was growing up.

I was given the desire and the knowledge of how to teach art whilst maintaining my self as an artist, from my high school art teacher; Ron Barren. He was a grumpy bastard, but a fabulous teacher. Under this man's watchful eye I learnt self discipline and to strive beyond my abilities.

Throughout my studies at Tafe, Maurie Hughes; my sculpture and art theory teacher, inspired me to develop artistic expression through a new medium; sculpture and helped me to find a broader understanding and appreciation of art in general. He also opened my first solo show.

At VCA, David Wilson and Julie Collins inspired me to push the levels of depth in my artworks and gave me the desire and motivation to finish my degree.

All of these people in their own way have contributed to the foundation of my artistic self.

Finally, I would like to mention my father; Lindsay Jackson.

Whilst Dad and my relationship has often been hard to maintain, the one thing that has remained consistent, is his support of my artistic development. He is also the only family member I am able to discuss complex artistic concerns with. I relish these discussions and am always challenged by his expectations of me.

Many thanks also to my partner; Duane Hulm, who is the crutch, punching bag, tissue, painkiller, labourer, ideas man, and any other thing I wish him to be when I'm making my work.

What may seem strange about this list of influences is that they are not all artistic.

Over the years I have been inspired by many artists including; Bacon, Bourgeois, Sherman, Goldsworthy, Dali, Delvoye, Whiteley, Pollock, Picasso, Duchamp,

Rothko, Oldenburg , Long, Christo, Warhol, Goya, and an array of contemporary artists, including my own class mates.

However there is really too many to mention or remember, so this list is by no means complete, or in order of preference.

Often when I was studying art, I would become depressed from the overload of other artists work I either had to cite or see. This would make me feel like every possible artwork had already been created. Hence I was not inspired to create my own work.

Early on I made it a rule to limit my exposure of other artists work except very superficially, unless I had to write a critical analysis on the work for an assignment.

What I did maintain however was a range of personal experiences that could be interpreted and reflected upon in my work. In effect my techniques were developed out of necessity to find clarity for my expression, and were not necessarily as an immediate result of my experience of other artists work.

I give more credit to my personal influences than my artistic ones in my ability as an artist, as it was these few people who kept me and the art I made alive. Personally an artist who provides me with a technique or vision can still only be secondary to these people.

I have also found influences in art theory texts, poetry, film and television, as I am intensely interested in breaking down complex systems of artistic concepts to find meaning, understanding and more accurate tools with which to express clearer interpretations of my own concerns.

Whilst other family members may be angry I have not mentioned them at this time, I would hope that most of these people know the support they have offered me and I am indebted to you also.