Jesse Wakenshaw emerges as a visionary multidisciplinary artist, fervently rejecting the ties of perfectionism in pursuit of profound self-expression. With an unwavering commitment to exploring the intricate interplay between scent and visual artistry, Jesse's creative odyssey unfolds as a mesmerising journey through the realms of identity and self-discovery.
Jesse's oeuvre transcends traditional boundaries, offering a tantalising sensory tapestry that evokes both nostalgia and innovation. In a post-internet era saturated with visual stimuli, he boldly ventures into uncharted territory, weaving together the elusive language of scent with the visual medium to forge deeply resonant narratives.
Harnessing the ethereal power of olfaction, Jesse deftly manipulates fragrances to evoke a myriad of emotions, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in an experiential journey of self-reflection and introspection. Each composition serves as a testament to the intimate relationship between scent and memory, as well as the transformative potential of sensory exploration.
Drawing inspiration from personal experiences of trauma and liberation, Jesse's work serves as a poignant meditation on the complexities of identity and the human condition. Through a delicate balance of vulnerability and resilience, he endeavours to capture the ephemeral essence of the present moment, inviting audiences to partake in a transcendent olfactory experience that transcends the boundaries of language and perception.
Sculptural forms—punctured, veiled, and visceral—echo the language of desire, intimacy, and surveillance. This work emerges from personal experiences of queer isolation and the quiet negotiations of safety, expression, and visibility. Growing up, the body often felt like a site of contradiction—watched, policed, and misunderstood. These sculptures and scents carry those tensions: the longing to be seen without being exposed, to be held without fear. Stark and sensory-driven, the installation unravels these complexities through olfactive and sculptural elements. Set against a backdrop of imagined collapse, it mirrors real anxieties—social, political, and internal. Through smell and space, the work invites viewers into a world where the personal becomes political, and survival becomes an intimate act of resistance. These forms speak to how queerness adapts and endures—always shifting, always carving out space for tenderness, even in the ruins.