Laurence Jansen
Laurence Jansen is an artist based in London exploring ideas of displacement, urban ecology, biochemistry and networks of non-human intelligence that are becoming incorporated in our understanding of design and architecture. A variety of motifs and themes are established through the notion of displacement in a futuristic and abstracted manner, by the use of layering in his impressive paintings. He states, “We have so much to learn from ant colonies, bacteria, and ancient eco systems, so I’m excited to hear about materials such as bacteria bricks and self healing concrete that can be integrated with biomimicry design. The key to the future must be symbiosis between technological advancements and the necessities of the natural world.”
Laurence Jansen in Studio. Photo Courtesy: Laurence Jansen.
Laurence Jansen, Salient Flux, 2023, oil on linen, 160 x 200 cm. Photo Courtesy: Laurence Jansen.
Laurene Jansen graduated from Camberwell UAL in 2018, completing a BA in fine art painting. After this, he joined an artists-led school in south London called Turps off-Site Painters Program from 2020-21. Returning to school and most recently finishing his MA studies, again in Fine Art, at the Royal College of Arts from 2022-23, he has now started to develop his practice as an artist. Laurence found that this varied approach to learning has been valuable and highlighted the group critiques in refining his practice as learning how to take on constructive criticism was such an important part of developing his ideas and maturing his practice. Particularly during his time at the RCA, he was exposed to a diverse range of painting techniques and perspectives to reinforce his appreciation for contemporary painting and the other artists that he enjoyed working alongside.
Laurence Jansen, Expedited, 2023, oil on canvas, 200 x 150cm. Photo Courtesy: Laurence Jansen.
Laurence draws inspiration from his personal experiences particularly through travel, which has consistently served as an inspiration for his art. The diverse colours, patterns, people, and settings encountered along his journeys have found expression in numerous paintings and collages. Three years of residing in South America has left an indelible mark on his creative output, infusing his work with the vibrancy and complexities of the region. Additionally, Laurence spent time volunteering at a refugee kitchen in Lesbos that sparked a series of pieces delving into the socio-political struggles faced by communities striving to provide hundreds of meals daily. Through abstraction, he sought to unravel the dynamics between refugee and European volunteers, conveying deeper layers of meaning as can be seen within the piece Identity Dynamism below.
Laurence Jansen, Identity Dynamism, 2019, oil on canvas, 170x200cm. Photo Courtesy: Laurence Jansen.
More recently, the dynamic energy of London has captivated his artistic sensibilities as exploring the city has offered him a wealth of perspectives and dimensions. His focus has shifted towards urban ecology, contemplating the architectural landscape and the potential of biomimicry and biotechnologies in shaping sustainable cities but still implementing these ideas of displacement that was experimented with whilst in Lesbos. This exploration of abstraction within architectural contexts has led to revisiting the work of Roberto Matta, whose influence has resonated with him since his earliest days of painting in his childhood bedroom. Another artist and writer that Laurence is always drawn to is James Bridle. His book titled ‘Ways of Seeing’ delves into the realm of cognitive diversity and that digital technologies have fundamentally changed the way that we humans see, interact and understand the world. The heavy influence can be seen in the way Laurence creates these abstracted landscapes and environments that we may see ourselves in if we also contemplate on this matter.
Laurence Jansen, Posthuman Seduction, 2023, oil on linen, 200 x 160 cm. Photo Courtesy: Laurence Jansen.
Laurence’s approach to painting is organic and spontaneous, starting with messy abstract marks that evolve into the final piece. He views the painting itself as a form of research, rather than a mere replication of initial references. Experimentation is key, with a wide range of techniques employed, from brushwork to collage, with a particular emphasis on layering and the addition of personal narratives or interests. He states that he ‘often starts by creating abstract layers that have a chaotic spontaneity, a messy kind that leads the way to the decision-making that follows.” This is represented throughout his body of work that celebrates all these inspirations to create the complex dialogues within his pieces. His passion for archiving images through collecting and collages is contrasted to the futuristic biotechnology and architecture that dominates the space.
When painting, the abstract marks that he creates are a visual representation of his interest in biochemical principles. Laurence described these as “impulse, and momentum, stability and equilibrium, reaction and deformation. These principles convey meaning in conjunction with visual references in order to build a narrative.”
Laurence Jansen, City Figure, 2023, oil on paper, print on acetate, photo collage, acrylic resin, 50 x 37 cm. Photo Courtesy: Laurence Jansen.
A recurring theme and consistent motif in Laurence’s work revolves around the deconstructed figure. Throughout his practice, this idea of the figure has evolved and has been incorporated into architectural settings that explore posthuman identity and the interplay between natural and constructed surroundings. The initial idea behind the mark within the architecture could have been inspired by an already existing building, but by turning it around and abstracting the marks, a new world is supposedly created and placing the figure in an unfamiliar environment. Therefore, the duality of what is known and what is imagined leads the viewer back to the idea of displacement that is being further established throughout the work.
Laurence Jansen provokes the viewer’s ideas of humanity and opens up the window for potential environments that we may see once embracing the inevitability of the future.
To learn more about Laurence Jansen’s practice, connect via instagram.
Selected Exhibitions
2023 - Abstracting Rhythms, Liliya Art Gallery, 158 Putney High Street (Group Show)
2023 - The Chancellor's Circle Dinner, RCA Collection, Student and Alumni Exhibition
Hester Road Battersea, London (Group Show)
2023 - RCA MA Degree Show, Hester Road, Battersea, London (Group Show)
2022 Solo Show, Sep 29th-20th Oct, Future Realms of Collective Imagination, Galerie DiDA, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Group Shows
2022 June 28th-July 14th, The Story Tellers by the Beachside, Galerie DiDA, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
2022 031, Galeria PADA, Barreiro, Portugal
2021 Turps Leavers Show, Thames Side Gallery, London
2021 Re:Store Re:new Re:imagine, Willesden Gallery, London
2020 Corridor Exhibition Vol.5, Manor House, London
2019 Clyde and Co Art Awards ( New Platform Art ) Beaufort House, London
2019 New Artist Fair, Truman brewery, London
2018 Interim, Copeland Gallery, Peckham London
2018 Raum, 2 Girls Café Gallery, Peckham London
2017 Home, Random Artists, Manor House London
2017 Yokai Gallery, Kyoto, Japan
2017 Undercurrents Gallery, Deptford, London
2017 Dilston Grove CGP Gallery, Bermondsey London
2016 Temporary Autonomous Art, Hackney London
2014 Artcore International 14, Elephant and Castle, London
2014 Laurence Jansen, Vinyl Gallery, Deptford, London
2013 Reception, Psychedelic Conference, Greenwich University, London
2008 Emporium Gallery, Stokes Croft, Bristol
2004 Temporary Autonomous Art, Hackney, London
Awards
2022 The Basil H. Alkazzi Scholarship Award
2018 Clyde and Co Art Award (Exhibition opportunity)
1997 Young Artist of the Year Award, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire
Art Residency / International Exchange
2022 Galerie DiDA Residency, Grand Bassam, Cote d’Ivoire
2022 PADA Residency, Barreiro, Portugal
2017 Seika University Kyoto, four month international exchange
Ina Benigni
Emerging Artists Co-Editor, MADE IN BED