Jessie Makinson’s paintings stage carnivalesque fairy tales. Femme human-animal hybrids, sporting leopard spots, fairy wings and impish ears, appear throughout her canvases. They are surrounded by surreal architectures and interiors which morph into nature – all rendered in richly pigmented oil paint. The artist has a fluid approach to the painting process. She firstly creates an underlayer of abstract brushstrokes, and before observing the patterns that emerge to determine where and how the figures are placed.
Makinson’s work homages feminist science-fiction, folklore, pop culture and 17th-19...
Bio
Jessie Makinson (she/her) was born in 1985 in London, UK, where she continues to live and work.
Practice
While at the Royal Drawing School in London, Makinson would visit the National Gallery to paint and draw from the works. These experiences made connections with art historical styles ranging from Renaissance altarpieces to 17th–18th century Dutch painting.
At auction
In September 2021, Makinson’s painting Stirring his pot (2017) was purchased in Phillips New York New Now auction for 70,000 USD – more than four times its upper estimate.