In the space of Jake Kelly’s artistic practice, found and reused materials are not just tools of creation; they are the very symbols of the fragmented and complex relationship we hold with the environment.

Rejecting the standardised forms and mass-produced supplies that dominate contemporary art production, he intervenes in the refuse of modern life, utilising fabric waste, wood, and urban debris to transform these discarded materials into sculptural installations that invite us to reconsider what is valuable and worth preserving. His art is not only about found objects and reclaimed material; it's about the process, about the tactile engagement with materials that resonate with histories of labour and craftsmanship. By wrapping and knotting fabric waste as his conscious material choices, Jake extends the critique of consumer culture and sustainability, engaging with a material that holds deep resonance both in terms of its environmental impact and its cultural legacy. Through this, he brings into question the notion of "creation" as something linear and detached from its origins. Central to Jake’s practice is rope-making, an ancient craft he reawakens by handcrafting ropes from waste materials. It’s a non-nostalgic and deliberate interrogation of the materials we cast aside, reconstituting them into something that speaks to both their intrinsic value and the meaning we ascribe to them in a post-consumer world.

Rope becomes more than just a medium in his eager hands; it’s a metaphor for connection, continuity, and the delicate balance between the human-made and the natural.

Jake recognises the luxury he has as an artist: the time and solitude to create at a slow pace. Each knot, each connection, each decision carries his personal attention. His time and energy are literally interwoven into the work, making every detail a trace of his presence and dedication. In this sense, the installation is not only a reflection on waste and reuse but also a meditation on labour, care, and the value of slowness.

 

Vladimir Radujkov 

NEON Foundation

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Art direction: 

Vladimir Radujkov

 

 

Counterbodies were made possible by:

Gemeente Rotterdam, Wijkraad Kralingen, Cultuur Concreet 

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Huge thank you to our partners:

De Achtertuin 

 

 

Special thanks to:

Melanie Tissen

 

 

Photo credits:

Jan Arsenović

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