YDF25 Artist 02 Q&A: Ana Jesus

What’s your background?

I have always felt drawn to explore being creative, so much so that I focused on improving my skills aiming to pursue a career in the creative field right from high-school back in Portugal. Then I moved to the UK and studied Fine Art and Illustration at Coventry University, where I got to play and explore with my practice a bit more and pretty soon realised that I seem to thrive in Illustration. I am currently taking my MA in Graphic Design and Illustration at Liverpool John Moores University.

Who are your biggest influences? Artistically? Who inspired you to become an artist?

Oh, great question! There’s so many great names that pop to my mind. I really look up to the work of Oliver Jeffers, the way he uses his creative and activist voice no matter the medium is definitely inspiring. Another great artist that has influenced my practice was Helena Almeida, a portuguese artist who defied the limits of the canvas. Her work is quite disruptive and it really made me consider things in a different light.
I could go on..!

How have you developed your career? (From student to artist)

I think I am still in the process of…
During my BA, I began engaging with local creative opportunities, mainly through volunteering, and that really opened up some doors and interests, and ultimately led to more work being made!
I took a residency that allowed me to tackle writing a picture book script for the first time, which opened doors to collaborations and exhibitions. I have done illustrations for two picture books and am really looking forward to expand my work in the field of publishing. I still do volunteering and it has allowed me to tap into different spheres where my work can thrive and I get to explore design, which is just great!

How does your work comment on current social or political issues? And if it does, why is that important to you? Or if your work doesn’t comment on the current social or political issues what does it focus on instead?

My work often focuses on themes of immigration, tradition, growth and mental health through the eyes of illustration and with a playful outlook. I think it’s important to break down big themes, as such, into accessible formats that can become conversation starters, because that’s a good way - I think - to invite and lead positive change in the world.

What current trends or area of work are you currently focusing on?

I mostly focus on illustration in whatever format that might take depending on the
project but these days I am also exploring design and how the two can work together within my own ‘style’.

What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?

Though question!! Being someone very nostalgic I often find myself reminiscing
about childhood memories which end up influencing my work quite a bit. I am not
sure about the ‘strongest’ memory but I will never forget the day my mom gifted
me a yellow pair of scissors. I must have been 4 or 5 years-old and I had asked her
about it so that I could do magazine cut-outs - in her words ‘it seemed to be the best way for you to pass the time’ -, I still have those yellow scissors, now covered in bits of glue and ink that seem to have lived through time.

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