Illustration is an interesting medium for an artist – it demonstrates a particular kind of patience and imagination, and demands the illustrator to take all external cues in the world with wonder, moulding said cues into their own style. Now, in the digital age, the role of the illustrator broadens – with new programs and career paths available, today’s illustrators can be coders – graphic designers – work traditionally from pen to paper, or in game design, or marketing & advertising. Whichever way one goes, the possibilities are endless, illustration is visual world-building; and it is a critical feature of our world. Jade Klara is an illustrator & designer in Cape Town known for whom a playfulness and innocence remain corner stores of working independently (as an artist) and specialised (collaborating with beloved brands, local and internationally).
Jade is a veteran of the shift in digital illustration and its presence in the visual lexicon of branding – and the surge we have seen in South Africa as a hub for agencies and brands focused on beautiful design. On this she says, “I studied graphic design at Vega, and I got an internship with Ama Collective – this was long ago – and they were an amazing illustration studio. I learnt so much from them, and then I went freelance – that was 12 years ago!” The shift from traditional drawing to digital illustration is essential in today’s branding landscape – on the physical to digital translation of this medium, Jade says, “It’s a really interesting dissonance and relationship between the two. I think one has to have a sort of foundation with a pencil, but also I think people are learning digitally as their primary starting point these days. There’s no reason not to. I’ve always drawn. My mom used to draw Maya The Bee cartoons on my bookmarks as a kid – and that blew me away! It was so precious. Through graphic design, you learn so many new tools – illustrating just opens up in terms what is possible with all the new programs that are available. I never craft to finish on paper – I will doodle and plan – but ultimately it takes place digitally.”
Over the years, Jade’s style has taken a metamorphic role as a reflection of her own internal process as an artist. Now, her style is characterised as whimsical – with a softness and sense of joy as the feeling and mood. Though, there have been other eras – to which Jade reflects, “I was super influenced by pop surrealism in the beginning – it was all dark fairy tales, and folk tales and literature has been a source of influence. Then I got really interested in linework – so I became quite focused on lines, shading and being very crafted and detailed in my work. Now, it’s evolved into a place where it’s bold and as wonky or silly as possible! There’s such a different process to do something very realistic, and there’s a sense of accomplishment afterwards, and then there’s such a different set of internal markers of something really free and simple.” Jade’s work lives through many ways and means – from her work with brands, to exhibitions with editions and prints – alongside a steady avenue of illustrations on t-shirts, towels – to keep momentum and movement, and her work always growing and moving. Recently, Jade conceptualised the Float X Dope collab – with typography and the coke-float mascot – the cutest addition for Cape Town’s summer season. As an artist, Jade has exhibited locally and from London to Portland, on which she reflects, “I’ve been really lucky to see my work live in so many spaces. Salon 91, which has now closed, was a cornerstone of this. Monique has been so supportive of artists who might not be able to put their work in a traditional gallery setting. It’s whittled down, though – I used to think I needed to be an artist first, that that was the most important thing I could do. Now, I’m a lot more grounded and happy as an illustrator.”
In a shifting world – with metaverse & NFT’s a-buzz – artists like Jade offer a remedy of innocence and purity so necessary; for humour, and love, and for all good things in this life. Keep your eyes open for her new online store launching at the end of the year – and the magic she continues to share with local brands & labels, and in her own right with characters, poems and story-telling.
Written by: Holly Beaton
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