Artist Statement

Below the surface of our skin lies a complex system of tissue that holds the contents of our physical body and perhaps the contents of our memory. In my art practice, I explore the interconnectedness of our memory with the fascial system of the human body as well as how society and the architecture of society has influenced the body and lived experience. As both a 2D and 3D artist, the materials I choose act as metaphors for both the outside shell of the body, as well as the internal tensions and decompressions that we hold. 

A large part of my practice involves taking a mold and casting or physically sculpting the human figure. The act of casting is not unlike taking a snapshot in time;  the details captured, like scars, stretch marks, aged skin and muscle, all speak to a life lived. Casting the figure signifies the outer shell we all have, a shield that deflects and protects. I look to provide the viewer with a glimpse behind that shield and observe the inner world beyond what is shown on the surface. 

My materials of choice tend to be architectural in nature. Working with concrete, found bricks and other building materials all elicit this idea of memory; concrete with its stress fractures, the deterioration of the aged brick or the frayed edges of industrial rope. I draw comparison with the structures of society and how this ties into our memory and expectations of the body and human experience. I find great inspiration in towns that have long been abandoned as a way to speak to the inherent nature of change and metamorphosis. Places that were once thriving, now abandoned for better opportunities, progress and change. Reminding us that we cannot hang onto what is no longer viable but instead remember where we have been and rebuild.

Jacquelyn Walker, 2025