28 July 2009
Idea Generation Gallery
11 Chance Street
E2 close to Liverpool Street
The opening party is from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
RSVP essential to rachel@ideageneration.co.uk
I will be selling everything I own.
I received an invitation to Jasper Joffe's latest show on email, and while I'm unable to make it to London to see it, my interest was sufficiently piqued to send Jasper a few questions and he very kindly responded.
What inspired you to sell all your possessions for the sake of art?
At Christmas my girlfriend left me and then I left my gallery. I found myself in a situation where nothing seemed fixed or in control, where my whole life was up in the air.
This new show, Sale of a Lifetime, is a response to that. A week after the show finishes I will turn 34 and I will have seen my whole life, all the paintings I have left, every single one of my possessions, in one place. I hope to be able to assess what I have achieved so far and work out where I want to go. Hopefully by selling everything I will have the freedom to start afresh.
Are there any particular items that you will really miss once they’ve been sold?
I will miss my paintbrushes the most, they are what I use everday to make my paintings, they take a lot of washing and care, and I have become attached to them. I care about things I can use more than stuff like photos or letters, because they just sit in boxes, I prefer to keep my memories in my head and experience life in the present.
What do you hope people will do with the lots they buy?
Ideally one art collector, or museum (!!) will buy everything and display it as an installation, thus preserving the concept of the show, which is about mixing art and life.
Have other artists been in touch about your show? If yes, what’s been the prevailing opinion about what you’re doing?
Some of my best friends are artists. And I am selling some of their work in my show. I asked permission before doing this and they all very kindly said yes. Everyone has been supportive and excited by the idea, and also concerned in a good way about making sure I am feeling okay.
