Tracy Jackson
Passionate ESOL teacher and artist, Tracy Jackson, creates captivating mixed media collages embodying the UBUNTU philosophy.
Message
Tracy Jackson, an English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher at Tri-Cities High school, has a deep-rooted passion for art and creativity. His aunt Patricia, a retired art teacher from APS, instilled in him the significance of art and creativity during his formative years. It was at Westlake high school, under the guidance of his inspiring art teachers, that Tracy’s appreciation for art grew exponentially. Although he pursued a Bachelor of Arts in psychology degree from the College of Wooster and a Masters in Creative and Innovative Education and Teach in English to Speakers of other Languages from Georgia State, his passion for art remained unwavering. Tracy finds joy in creating mixed media collages, using various mediums to form cohesive art pieces, akin to piecing together a jigsaw puzzle. Tracy's artwork aims to embrace the UBUNTU philosophy, exploring relationships and translating them into captivating visual narratives.
Statement
The spirit of UBUNTU drives my artwork. Translated to mean "I am because you are," this Zulu idea suggests that the invisible threads of interdependence connect individuals because of our shared humanity. The essence of Ubuntu reverberates within my faith as a Christian with regards to loving one's neighbor as if they were myself. Therefore, the works of my art tend to explore these values through shared narrative themes (e.g., aspirations, longings, loss, happiness, etc.), cultural-historical practices, and societal issues (e.g., institutional racism, politics, poverty, religion, etc.), which have been translated into collage paintings.
The cut-out techniques of Matisse, Romare Bearden, Phoebe Beasley, and Eric Carle, the social realism of Jacob Lawrence, and the child-like yet complex works of Jean Michel Basquiat have been tremendous sources of inspiration for my mixed-media collages. Mixed media provides me with the ability to experiment, feel, and interact with different materials to form a unified piece.
As an artist, I seek to paste together an opportunity that invites the viewer to partake in a reflective pause, be challenged, and gain a new perspective on their own experiences and relationships. Ultimately, my intention is for my art to serve as a mirror that allows the viewer to identify and recognize the role of UBUNTU in their lives—