Today we’d like to introduce you to Jojo Alderson.
I was born in Gothenburg Sweden. And grew up in a little town just outside Gothenburg.
I knew from a young age that I wanted to be an artist. My mom was very creative, always drawing and coming up with fun crafts. She did some painting and so did my grandmother. So it’s been very much in my lineage.
When I was little, I used to constantly practice my drawing and painting.
I was lucky that we had art class all through school and that I could have art and design as an elective in high school. And that I had many different inspiring teachers, often strong women.Shortly after high school, I went on to study in London, United Kingdom. It was a big adventure, moving to a different country and learning about a new culture.
There I did a foundation course in art and design and a Bachelor’s Hons in fashion and textiles. I met my husband at University and ended up staying in London for 15 years until we moved to Los Angeles, California 6,5 years ago.In London, I worked with fashion and textiles design and had my daughter before moving to Los Angeles.
Motherhood was a big change for me and it got more clear that creating and being creative was what was important to me. Creating helped me stay “me” in all the changes that motherhood brings.
Since moving to LA, I have been more and more drawn to art making. I have been exploring different mediums and developed my own unique way of working. Where I mix and take inspiration from fashion, art, design, nature and more.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I am at a place where I have recently realized that I have been very fortunate and have had a very rich life, a dream life!
Of course, I have had my hardships, but overall I have been very lucky.
It is hard to be a female artist. It has been a struggle to feel proud of what I do and own it. To stay pure and not think too much of what others might like or want to buy. In my opinion a good artist has to believe in themself, keep making, keep exploring, don’t be scared of change and don’t be scared of being slow and taking their time. And that is hard to do in today’s society. Where the thing we value the most is to be productive and making products that sell. To me, art is more than that. It keeps me sane, it inspires people, it brings out emotions, it stops time and reminds us of life.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
A lot of my work is about being a women in this world and finding my voice.
I am constantly working on finding the purest essence of me. With as little influence from the outside world as possible.
In my past collection of work, I used the cactus as a representation of our resilience and strength.
I have always been fascinated by how beautiful and interesting cacti are and how they grow and bloom against all odds out of the arid dessert dirt.
Textiles have continuously been a medium that I like to explore, with a nod to old traditions of women using textiles to express their creativity.
Lately, I have been studding the spiritual realm, learning about channeling and mediumship and I use these findings in my work. I think its something I have always done but studding this have made it possible for me to use this more intentionally in my work.
I am proud of where I am at in my journey and excited to see where it will take me next.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Trust yourself, be proud, be thankful and stay curious.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jojoalderson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jojoaldersonart/
