Jessica Rankin
Encyclopedia
Jessica Rankin is an Australian artist who lives and works in New York. She has participated in numerous group exhibitions in the US, Europe and Australia. Recent solo exhibitions include White Cube, London (2007), PS1 Contemporary Arts Center, New York (2006) and Franklin Artworks, Minneapolis (2005). Rankin is best known for her organdy
'embroidered paintings' as well as her drawings, watercolors, and editioned prints, sometimes linked to her larger scale works. Rankin's father is also a successful artist David Rankin
. Rankin shares her studio with her partner, also a celebrated artist, Julie Mehretu
. Rankin is represented by Christian Haye of The Project gallery in the USA and in 2007 began to exhibit with Jay Jopling
at the White Cube
art gallery in the UK.
and needlework
- Rankin's work and her organdy
'emroidered paintings' feature a series of 'mental maps', with codes, signs and symbols that explore ideas of memory, intuition and interpretation. Keys embroidered works include Nocturne (2004), Hour to Hour (2007), Everything is Still There (2005) and Passage (Dusty Humming) (2007) which presented a new style of embroidered work focusing solely on text rather than text with image.
Rankin also creates drawings and watercolors that provides information on the process. Sketches of biomorphic forms feature alongside abstract representations of astral or lunar cycles, while other studies depict recognizable scenery. Rankin's first European show at White Cube
in 2007 highlighted this side of Rankin's practice by displaying 88 drawings and watercolors in their Hoxton Square
gallery. Key works on paper include
Cloud & Sun (2003), San Miguel (2005), Word Construction (2005), Leaves (2006), Rockface (2006) and Couple (2006).
Organdy
Organdy or organdie is the sheerest and crispest cotton cloth made. Combed yarns contribute to its appearance.-Description:Organdy is a balanced plain weave. Because of its stiffness and fiber content, it is very prone to wrinkling...
'embroidered paintings' as well as her drawings, watercolors, and editioned prints, sometimes linked to her larger scale works. Rankin's father is also a successful artist David Rankin
David Rankin
David Rankin is a New York-based Australian artist. He works predominantly in oil and acrylic on canvas, but also works with paper, prints, sculptures and ceramics. Rankin has held over 100 one-person exhibitions in cities across the world and his work forms part of many of the world's leading...
. Rankin shares her studio with her partner, also a celebrated artist, Julie Mehretu
Julie Mehretu
Julie Mehretu is an artist, best known for her densely-layered abstract paintings and prints. She lives and works in New York City...
. Rankin is represented by Christian Haye of The Project gallery in the USA and in 2007 began to exhibit with Jay Jopling
Jay Jopling
Jeremy "Jay" Jopling is an English art dealer and gallery owner. He is closely associated with the YBA artists and his gallery White Cube represents the commercial interests of YBAs Jake & Dinos Chapman, Tracey Emin, Marcus Harvey, Damien Hirst, Gary Hume, Marc Quinn, and Sam Taylor-Wood, whom he...
at the White Cube
White Cube
White Cube is a contemporary art gallery designed by MRJ Rundell & Associates in Hoxton Square in the East End of London Mason's Yard, in central London and White Cube Bermondsey in South East London...
art gallery in the UK.
Work
Appropriating methods traditionally identified with feminine pursuits - embroideryEmbroidery
Embroidery is the art or handicraft of decorating fabric or other materials with needle and thread or yarn. Embroidery may also incorporate other materials such as metal strips, pearls, beads, quills, and sequins....
and needlework
Needlework
Needlework is a broad term for the handicrafts of decorative sewing and textile arts. Anything that uses a needle for construction can be called needlework...
- Rankin's work and her organdy
Organdy
Organdy or organdie is the sheerest and crispest cotton cloth made. Combed yarns contribute to its appearance.-Description:Organdy is a balanced plain weave. Because of its stiffness and fiber content, it is very prone to wrinkling...
'emroidered paintings' feature a series of 'mental maps', with codes, signs and symbols that explore ideas of memory, intuition and interpretation. Keys embroidered works include Nocturne (2004), Hour to Hour (2007), Everything is Still There (2005) and Passage (Dusty Humming) (2007) which presented a new style of embroidered work focusing solely on text rather than text with image.
Rankin also creates drawings and watercolors that provides information on the process. Sketches of biomorphic forms feature alongside abstract representations of astral or lunar cycles, while other studies depict recognizable scenery. Rankin's first European show at White Cube
White Cube
White Cube is a contemporary art gallery designed by MRJ Rundell & Associates in Hoxton Square in the East End of London Mason's Yard, in central London and White Cube Bermondsey in South East London...
in 2007 highlighted this side of Rankin's practice by displaying 88 drawings and watercolors in their Hoxton Square
Hoxton Square
Hoxton Square is a garden square situated in Hoxton in the London Borough of Hackney, in London's East End. Formerly home to industrial premises, since the 1990s it has become the heart of the Hoxton arts and media scene, as well as being a hub of the thriving local entertainment district...
gallery. Key works on paper include
Cloud & Sun (2003), San Miguel (2005), Word Construction (2005), Leaves (2006), Rockface (2006) and Couple (2006).
Solo exhibitions
- 2007 White Cube, London
- 2006 The Measure of Every Pause, P.S. 1 Contemporary Arts Center, Long Island City, NY
- 2005 Franklin Artworks, Minneapolis, MN
- 2004 The Project, New York, NY
- 1999 First Floor Gallery, Melbourne, Australia
Further reading
- Jessica Rankin/Sarah KentSarah KentSarah Kent is a British art critic, formerly the art editor of the weekly London 'what's on' guide Time Out. She was an early supporter of the Young British Artists in general, and Tracey Emin in particular, helping her to get early exposure. This has led to polarised reactions of praise and...
, Jessica Rankin (London: Jay JoplingJay JoplingJeremy "Jay" Jopling is an English art dealer and gallery owner. He is closely associated with the YBA artists and his gallery White Cube represents the commercial interests of YBAs Jake & Dinos Chapman, Tracey Emin, Marcus Harvey, Damien Hirst, Gary Hume, Marc Quinn, and Sam Taylor-Wood, whom he...
/White CubeWhite CubeWhite Cube is a contemporary art gallery designed by MRJ Rundell & Associates in Hoxton Square in the East End of London Mason's Yard, in central London and White Cube Bermondsey in South East London...
, 2007) ISBN 1-906072-03-5
External links
- Jessica Rankin feature at StudioVisit.net
- Jessica Rankin at White Cube gallery, London
- Jessica Rankin at The Project gallery, New York
- Jessica Rankin at Saatchi Gallery, London
- Jessica Rankin at Highpoint Editions, Minneapolis
- Jessica Rankin review from 2005 in Art In America
- Rankin's page at Artnet.com
- Rankin at Gigantic Art Space