Artist statement
Music and art have always been the most influential forces and dominant forces in my life, creating a sonic tapestry that weaves its way through every experience, integrating itself into my memories. My goal has been to capture my most evocative recollections of traveling to concerts, over the course of my life. Each work in this collection is an expression of the emotional impact of the music or event in my life. The musical influences span seven decades, from early Pink Floyd to the current-day pop punk of Paramore, As It Is, and others. These pieces capture my memories and emotions, often from live performances, where I feel most at peace. My hope is that whoever views my art will feel the same level of energy and excitement.
As I have evolved as an artist, I have experimented with less-traditional mediums, including risographs, fabric printing, fabric painting, and quilting. Many of the pieces I’ve included in this portfolio display the swirling composite of memories and sounds that form the stories behind this work. I have found that fabric, specifically quilting, provides a unique medium to capture memories and preserve stories. As is the belief of many cultures, I believe that fabric holds the memories from its past life, which adds deeper significance to my stories.
Bio
Jay Newman is a mixed media artist from Minnetonka Minnesota. Newman Graduated from Minnetonka high school in 2019. Her work focuses on music and how that affects her life. She attended Minnespolis College of art and design from 2020-2024 and graduated with a bachelor of fine arts with a major in drawing and painting.
Newman's first gallery display was located at the Depot in Hopkins Minnesota from May to September of 2017. In 2018 Newman won her first Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition taking home two gold keys, and won The Great Frame Up regional competition. In 2019 Newman again won the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition with one gold key and one silver key and The Great Frame Up regional competition. At the end of her senior year of high school Newman was selected to participate in the Compass program which is mentorship designed to give high schoolers a glimpse at a job field that they intend to study. During her time with Compass, Newman designed and created a doll for marginalized youth. Her final product was then displayed on the jumbotron at US Bank Stadium during her high school graduation. Later that year she designed her first logo for Phoenix Rising Counseling Services, Columbia, MD. In the fall of 2020, Newman embarked on her journey as a full time student at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD). In the spring of 2024 Newman was made it into the juried exhibition, Made at MCAD, for her quilted jacket “Thks fr Th Mmrs.” Newman made Deans list all 8 semesters she attended MCAD and in 2024 she graduated summa cum laude with a BFA majoring in Drawing and painting.