Interviewing Creative Folk / Jordan Neal

Introducing artist Jordan Neal whose feminist-based arts practice rejects links of shame around her (cis, female) body. Jordan has a strong conceptual-based practice that flows over multiple mediums to visually translate her direct messaging. Her work which has literally been censored (see Community Guidelines below) raises the question of why it evokes this reaction? Creating work with the potential for censorship, and addressing shame around the body, specifically when it’s your own, takes boldness in our current society. Such respect to Jordan for pathing the way, for breaking down taboos, and for speaking out against issues that often stay hidden – normalising the normal through art!

Thanks Jordan for taking the time to chat 🙂

Community Guidelines 2019 – Image Source

/ You work across different mediums using different materials, do you find yourself revisiting or being drawn to one, and if so, why?

I find that I go back to lino carvings/prints to give myself a base or starting point with new work. I’ve always had a very small work space, so it’s an easy medium to keep contained but I also like that it’s different from painting or drawing, which I don’t think I’m very good at!

Untitled Lino prints 2021 – Image Source

/ I remember hearing you say that your previous body of work felt like you’d set an extremely high bar for yourself, how do you push through and not let that thought become an impassable barrier?

Honestly, it took a while for me to push past that barrier. It wasn’t really until I started working at the Butter Factory and engaging with other artists that I started feeling good about my practice again. So I guess, being around other artists/creatives is the best way to break that wall.

Clean Or Dirty 2019 – Image Source

/ As an artist with a feminist-based practice, you’ve explored issues around the body and most recently with a focus on menstruation, why is the exploration of such topics important to address within your practice?

It’s important to me because there is still so much stigma surrounding my body as a cis female, particularly around menstruation. Yes, there is certainly positive change happening (eg. free period products in school bathrooms) but we still have a long way to go. It’s important because it’s raising awareness, starting the conversation. By just telling people that this is what my practice is about, I’ve had many conversations with people who didn’t think they’d ever talk about their periods so casually. Which is what we need!

It’s important because artists have been making menstrual art for decades, and yet we are STILL struggling to get patriarchal society to own up to its prejudice surrounding menstruation.

Period Piece (Installation Mock Up) 2022 – Image Source

/ Gotta ask, why on earth choose the very precarious visual artist path?

I have always been a creative person. I was a dancer from age 6-17, but I felt that visual art suited my creative drive more as I got older. I honestly can’t see myself in any other profession, young Jordan knew who I was meant to be and here I am!

Cunt (Day light) + (Night) 2022 – Image Source

5/ Can you share your future vision (aka ‘the big dream’ view)?

I’ve had the plan to have my own gallery space for a long time. What I imagine that space looks like has changed since I first decided that’s what I wanted, though. My partner, Kale, and I will likely start a business together: cafe on one side, art space on the other. A place where both of our creative outlets can flourish haha