Gracen Steinepreis

Influential artist:

James Jean - Prada "Bloom"

Undoubtedly James Jean is one of the most versatile and original artist of the 21st century.  Born In 1979 in taiwan, Jean at the age of 3 moved to the United States where he remains a resident in LA today.  In 2001 Jean graduated from the school of Visual arts new york, where he pursued a career in illustration for comic books.
Jean is an aritst who lives on the edge through all mediums of his work. His originality and induviduality sets him aside from other artist. His work challenges the conventions of couture fashion which shows how he is truly an artist who's work sits on the edge by leading the world of art and fashion.
During his early career he was approached to work as a textile designer for Prada.

"Bloom"

James Jean’s 2007 Prada collaboration is both Mystical and luminous.
His work conveys a sense of sadness mocked by the cartoonist style of the figures.
The yellow rose is a symbol of jealousy, and the unwavering gaze of the figure stares in desire, a want for more. Prada is a brand of luxury and wealth, and a symbol of consumption among the western world. Once you have one Prada product you will always want more. This image shows the insatiable wants of society conveyed the the medium of designer fashion.

The Atherial figure, with the angelic face is contrasted by the darkness in the shadowing tones.
Through the uses of textile process and painted prints, the straight lines of the garments cut juxtaposes the organic flow of lines of the image printed on the fabric.
The colours deep, dark and depressed pallet form a melancholy atmosphere. We are intrigued by the still girl that sits within the organic flowing frame.

As an artist his cartoonist style this is clearly evident in his work. The imaginative, disproportioned figures are a reflection of his early career. The cartoon depiction of the themes that circulate the garment apply a sense of make believe to a cold world of reality.
Influentially Jean’s cartoon art nouvoue style features not only in this particular garment but the Entirety of his Prada collection. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art". The organic, fluid and feminine lines that were preeminent in the style, and have had clear  influence in the work of James Jean.
The textile piece compliments the delicacy of James Jeans style. The fine and petiteness of the garments fit is both effective in provoking the meaning and complimenting the delicacy of his painting design.
The modernity and contemporary style of James Jean is a contextual influence of both his training, and his asian heritage. Prada Bloom creates a fusion of cultural influence, portraying the delicacy of traditional asian art and manga style of asian pop art.
Jean’s Work Has shown influence from the world around him, he presents a contemporary look at the world through his cartoonist, fusion, art nouvoue and contemporary style in the ‘bloom’ piece of the Prada collection.

In the Composition of  bloom, James Jean has executed the work through the use of design principals and elements.
There is a sense of imbalance both physically and conceptually in this piece of James Jean.  The weight of the garment gives favor to the left side, composed by figure and objects. This forms a peculiar sense around the atmosphere of the artwork. Through the use of line that circles the garment, our eyes are directed to the female figure that sits silently on the left hand side of the garment.
Blue is a symbol of sadness and darkness, which is complimented by the meaning of purple which symbolizes mystery and spirituality. We are enticed by this unknown figure.
The harmony of the media, objects and colour create an unsettled atmosphere.

James Jean narrates a tale through his artwork. “Bloom” tells a story of a lost girl, confined and suffocated by the world around her. The pressures of the contemporary world have only led her to be unhappy, she continuously wants more, and she stares in envy and loss to what she does not posses. Perhaps Jean was making a comment at the world that we have created and the effects of consumerism within society. Jean narrates his story not in a book, but through a label. The label; Prada, is a symbol of the height of consumerism. Through his angelic, and delicate cartoon style, Jean challenges the depletion of society through consumption, and presents the negative outcome of our actions. He makes a judgment, to the issue of which most of us conform to. His work to the viewer is personal, and makes the individual question their own actions that hearten our destructive and consuming actions. He presents a lost figure, stranded in a cold and depressed world. Jean makes a social and cultural comment through this piece, and encourages viewers to join him by ‘wearing’ the effects of consumerism for others to see.

A snap shot of the collection