JERSIE RABB
Inspired by the decades
Unbothered by the compartmentalized tendencies of the art world, Jersie Rabb creates without expectation. Dabbling in many different mediums, this multimedia creative draws inspiration from art, music, and fashion of the 80s and 90s. Blending her interest in pop culture and art, Rabb sets an example of how life itself is an art form.
Keep up with Jersie on Instagram @jarbise
Basement: How would you describe yourself as an artist/ creative?
Jersie: I can’t necessarily see a concrete title to describe my life and art but I guess overall see myself as a “creative”. From a young age I was fully saturated in art and its importance in the world, especially music, so as I got older I just started dipping my toes in anything I felt stimulated me creatively. I’ve done musical performance, different types of painting, electronic art, basically anything that has interested me in even the most minute ways. I love being in environments that motivate me to keep creating and challenge me as a creator.
Basement: How has art weaved its way into your lifestyle?
Jersie: I think basically every form of art has largely impacted my life. Initially, my first love of art came in the form of music and then evolved into movies and basically anything I could get my hands on. More recently, it has become something I’ve tried to be openly expressive with and I like to use clothes and different styles to showcase that. Most of my appreciation of fashion comes from trends that existed before I was even born. I love the looks of the 80s and 90s and implementing different accessories or colors that were popular during these times.
Basement: What art, music, or pop culture has been the most influential and important in you life?
Jersie: I look at the impact of pop culture, art and music in terms of decades. The largest impact on my creativity is very heavily based in the 80s and 90s. I don’t really know how to describe the connection and appreciation I have with/for the past but they’re something that is very prevalent in my day to day. This appreciation really started with movies and from then just kind of spiraled out of control. As I touched on, one of the easiest ways I can display this appreciation is through fashion.
Basement: How does art reach beyond the physical realm?
Jersie: Art assists me a lot in a lot of struggles I have with mental and emotional health. I can always look to one of my artistic hobbies or even just listening to music to find serenity. I would also say that with art comes a level of communication that I can have with others that most won’t. I like to utilize my words or creations via social media to either boost someone’s day or make them think about something in another way.
Basement: Has growing up in the Chicagoland area and being surrounded by Chicago artists had any impact on the art you create and consume? What makes this city so special?
Jersie: Well, I have the unique privilege of getting to step outside of our small city and head into Chicago for my job. I work at the Ed Paschke Art Center (free, open 7 days a week, 10-7) which does stay focused on one Chicago native but is truly a place that gathers SO many creative minds. Having the ability to work in this space and be diluted in the work of Ed Paschke and other artists we may have a spotlight show, has really helped me gather my own perspective on not just my own art but the world as a whole. With visiting patrons, I am able to hear tons of stories about their lives as artists or people just impacted by art and it is truly something special to be experiencing a melting pot of artistic and cultural exposure.