Jason Saager's Sky Gardens Take Over Rodolphe Janssen

The artists have always been captivated by the sky since it enabled them to expand their imagination and think about the possibilities beyond the magical, godly gates. There are many examples of works centered on exploring perspective, distance, and transcendence. However, regardless of the technical innovations and the progress of science, it seems that the skies still capture the fancy of the artists such as Jason Saager.

This practitioner is primarily focused on exploring the landscape through the lens of printmaking and painting. His environments are reminiscent of both medieval illuminations and surrealist compositions. Mainly deployed of human or animal presence, Saager’s landscapes evoke intact harmony of a possible utopia.

His most recent series will be presented at Rodolphe Janssen Gallery in Brussels in an exhibition titled Sky Gardens. The first to take place with the gallery, the exhibition will provide a superb chance for the European audience to familiarize themselves with the work of Jason Saager.

The Process

In the light of the upcoming show, it is crucial to highlight the process of Jason Saager. The artist carefully combines the immediacy of printmaking with the precision of building imagery in paint. Saager executes the print by painting the image on a large piece of acrylic glass. Then, he physically pushes it and inscribes the image onto paper to create a sketch and begin to paint. Finally, his imaginary landscapes are characterized by meticulous brushwork that provides depth and volume to the print.

The New Works

This body of work features the artist’s ideal - the solitude of nature. The urban space no longer exists and is replaced by horticulture reminiscent of prehistoric plants. Slender and tall specimens touch the blue skies with their treetops and evoke almost heavenly delight, as seen in the work Gravity Optional Countryside (2022). Another work Triple Sunrise (2022), depicts clouds that form hills and valleys, while Subterranean Pathfinder (2022) features mountains intersecting gardens and pathways crossing.

The artist was inspired by the naturalist traditions found in Italian Renaissance painting and the ancient Chinese landscapes. These works are at the same time representations of distant pasta but also possible futures – the times when humanity will disappear, and plants will take over.

Jason Saager at Rodolphe Janssen

With these enchanting landscapes, Saager suggests a possibility of transcendence and a chance for another kind of interpretation of the mystical vastness of nature. Moreover, his new works question the history of representation of illusionary space, which has been explored on canvas by artists interested in articulating the notion of a window into another world.

Jason Saager: Sky Gardens will be on view at Rodolphe Janssen gallery in Brussels from April 27th until May 28th, 2022.

Featured image: Jason Saager - Airborne Geometry, 2022. Monotype and oil on paper mounted over linen on panel 45.7 x 61 cm, 18 x 24 in. All images courtesy of the artists and Rodolphe Janssen gallery.