Jennifer’s work Virtual Daydreams conveys the concept of escaping reality through the digital world, exploring the continuous cycle of seeking a comforting escape and facing the struggles of reality. Jennifer was inspired by London based illustrator Anna Mill and Seoul based illustrator Jinhwa Jang. The work invites the audience to look deeper within the painting and examine how elements of reality are represented under the vivid and whimsical facade, exploring the positive and negative outcomes of digital escapism. This is reflective of how digital media consumption is one of the most common forms of escapism in this modern day and age.
Growing up on the Northern Beaches, how has the environment and community here influenced your creativity?
I always found that there was inspiration for art everywhere in the Northern Beaches. I used to live pretty close to the beach and I would love watching the beautiful colours of the sunset blend together or go around collecting unique rocks and pretty shells. I also had teachers and mentors from youth to now who helped me expand on my understanding of art, which makes me very grateful that I had guidance in growing my art-making skills.
What ideas or themes are you exploring in Virtual Daydreams?
Virtual Daydreams explores the themes of escapism through technology and seeking a break from reality within a digital world. It stemmed from my own experiences of wanting to forever remain in my daydreams with the help of my headphones or finding myself engrossed in a webcomic in order to distract myself from the impending doom of reality. It was never perfect as it made it harder to face the real world each time so I was inspired to represent escapism in this piece as a continuous cycle of struggle and satisfaction, disguised by its fantastical and whimsical facade.
Why did you choose a traditional painting medium to explore a virtual environment. How did Anna Mill’s illustrations influence this decision?
Acrylic paint has always been my preferred art medium of choice so I thought it would be interesting to contrast my concept and my medium. I wanted that organic feel of creating physical art while trying to find ways to have parts of it resemble digital art, such as in its unnaturally vibrant colour palette and use of layers. One of my influential artists, Anna Mill, also used a traditional art medium to create her illustrations for the graphic novel ‘Square Eyes’ which is about a cyber dystopia where digital illusions blur with reality, memories and dreams. I found her use of linework and layering watercolour to create light and digital imagery fascinating and it seemed like a fun challenge to try to emulate digital effects with vivid acrylic paints.
What has your experience of being in Out Front 2026 been like?
Honestly, I was quite surprised when I got the email that I had been selected as I didn’t even know it was something you could be chosen for. I find that getting here has been quite an achievement for me as I’ve never really stood out in any other subjects aside from visual arts. Being a part of Out Front 2026 definitely serves as validation and motivation that I’ve made the right choice to pursue my passion in the arts in my tertiary studies and hopefully more in the future to come.
