Janet Jaffke
Installation “Ascend”, 2024
Burlap, gauze, stitch 40" x 75"
Crafted from lightweight materials, this piece suspends in space, offering the viewer a view of both sides. The ethereal construction serves as a poignant metaphor for transcending adversity, revealing the inherent beauty found amidst life's trials and tribulations, and the ability to rise above.
Janet Jaffke
Installation – “Peacemaker II”, 2024
Burlap, gauze, stitch 45" x 91"
This piece represents both the profound darkness of contemporary world affairs as well as the efforts being made in the name of peace. The juxtaposition of burlap conveys the weightiness of these challenges, while lighter fabrics imbue a sense of gentle resilience. It's a testament to the transformative power of compassion and unity in the face of adversity.
Janet Jaffke
“Ascend”, 2024
Burlap, gauze, stitch 40" x 75"
Crafted from lightweight materials, this piece suspends in space, offering the viewer a view of both sides. The ethereal construction serves as a poignant metaphor for transcending adversity, revealing the inherent beauty found amidst life's trials and tribulations, and the ability to rise above.
Janet Jaffke
“Peace Maker I”, 2024
Burlap, thread, gauze 36" x 86"
efforts being made in the name of peace. The juxtaposition of burlap conveys the weightiness of these challenges, while lighter fabrics imbue a sense of gentle resilience. It's a testament to the transformative power of compassion and unity in the face of adversity.
Janet Jaffke
“Treasure Tower X”, 2024
Burlap, stitch, gauze 32" x 75"
This is one in an ongoing series called the "Treasure Towers". Treasure Tower is a reference found in many Buddhist scriptures and most often refers the the famous "Ceremony in the Air" found in the last of the Buddha's teaching, The Lotus Sutra. It is a ceremony in which the buddhist followers gather to hear great wisdom from the Buddha. When the ceremony commences the earth opens and the Buddha appears in a large tower adorned with treasure and is suspended in the air. It is at this gathering that the Buddha explains that the treasure tower exists in each individual, independent of circumstance or status. It is within each person ability to polish their life and allow the treasure to shine. I have included the concept that human beings are all different but essentially the same, and that there is beauty in our diversity and in our struggles to become shining human beings.
Janet Jaffke
“Treasure Tower IX”, 2024
Burlap, gauze, stitch, chain 27" x 68"
This work is part of an ongoing series called "Treasure Towers." The term "Treasure Tower" is rooted in various Buddhist scriptures, notably in the renowned "Ceremony in the Air" featured in the final teachings of the Buddha (The Lotus Sutra). In this ceremony, Buddhist followers gather to receive profound wisdom from the Buddha. As the ceremony unfolds, the earth opens, revealing the Buddha in a towering structure adorned with treasure and suspended in the air. The Buddha then reveals that the Treasure Tower exists within every individual, irrespective of their circumstances or social status. Furthermore, the Buddha emphasizes that every person possesses the ability to refine their life and allow their inner treasure to shine.
Janet Jaffke
“Treasure Tower VIII”, 2024
Burlap, gauze, stitch 26" x 75"
This work is part of an ongoing series called "Treasure Towers." The term "Treasure Tower" is rooted in various Buddhist scriptures, notably in the renowned "Ceremony in the Air" featured in the final teachings of the Buddha (The Lotus Sutra). In this ceremony, Buddhist followers gather to receive profound wisdom from the Buddha. As the ceremony unfolds, the earth opens, revealing the Buddha in a towering structure adorned with treasure and suspended in the air. The Buddha then reveals that the Treasure Tower exists within every individual, irrespective of their circumstances or social status. Furthermore, the Buddha emphasizes that every person possesses the ability to refine their life and allow their inner treasure to shine.
Janet Jaffke
“Courage”, 2024
Burlap and stitch 51" x 44"
This piece expresses the resilience of the human spirit, and its ability to triumph over life's adversities, no matter how fractured or worn they may seem.”
Janet Jaffke
“Reconcile”, 2024
Burlap, gauze, stitch 54" x 84"
Referencing the theme of unity, 'Reconcile' represents that harmony and balance are possible when when divergent ideas, beliefs, or individuals converge. The visual elements symbolize the challenging process of acknowledging and embracing differences and demonstrates a cohesive and strengthened whole. - a testament to the beauty from embracing diversity.
Janet Jaffke
“War”, 2024
Burlap, gauze, stitch 27" x 27"
In fall of 2023 I spent 3 weeks in Africa, totally unplugged and detached from the news. I came home on October 15 to learn about the Hamas invasion into Isereal and the resulting war. This was the first piece that appeared when I returned to the studio. It began as an abstract work and only after completion did I understand it's relevance.
