Patchwork Reality is an abstract collection by Clo Jackson that serves as a autobiographical representation of her experiences as an artist.

This series explores the contrasting elements of Clo’s life: the solitude and freedom she feels while creating art versus the chaos and confusion she experiences in the external world. In her studio, Clo finds solace, silence, and a space to express her deepest emotions. Here, she feels safe, vulnerable, and completely open, allowing her imagination to flow without constraint. In contrast, her everyday reality often feels disorganized, overwhelming, and difficult to decode. The people, situations, and experiences she encounters lack the depth and meaning she craves, making it hard for her to connect or articulate her emotions. Through her art, Clo patches together these fragments of reality, piecing them into abstract, textured compositions that reflect her internal struggle to make sense of the world around her.

Artist's Vision and Technique

For Clo, Patchwork Reality is about using art as a form of meditation, a way to neutralize and organize the chaos she experiences in everyday life. Each painting in this collection acts as a mind map of her emotions, ideas, and perceptions. The art pieces resemble abstract maps or blueprints, with shapes, colours, and patterns that tell a story of Clo’s internal world. These patchwork compositions are not random but deliberate reflections of the bits and pieces of reality she tries to understand. Her technique is equally unconventional: Clo uses everyday utensils like forks, knives, spoons, and ropes to apply paint, rejecting traditional brushes in favour of real-world objects that reflect her desire to bring elements of her lived experience into the artwork. By using household tools, she emphasizes the idea that even the mundane and familiar can contribute to the creation of something profound. The textures created by these unconventional tools add depth to the canvas, with layers of paint pushed and pulled across the surface in unique patterns.

Clo also manipulates the consistency of the paint by mixing it with rainwater and other liquids, which alters the texture and flow of the medium. This technique aligns with the theme of patching up or covering the cracks in her reality, blending elements of the external world with her inner experience. The vibrant colours she uses are often exaggerated to reflect how the overstimulation of real life can sometimes feel overwhelming to her. Every layer, every stroke, and every tool used is intentional, representing Clo’s attempt to make sense of the fragmented pieces of her life.

Themes and Inspiration

The themes explored in Patchwork Reality are deeply personal, with each of the 16 pieces representing a different facet of Clo’s life and emotional landscape. The collection serves as a visual diary, where Clo documents her struggles, observations, and reflections. One key theme is relationships, with Clo often feeling disconnected or unable to fully engage with social interactions. She finds it difficult to navigate the art of building meaningful connections, and this is reflected in one of the pieces dedicated to the complexities of patching up relationships.

Another prominent theme is her perception of the art world itself. Clo often feels as though the art world is an impenetrable concept, difficult to access or understand, and one of the artworks in this collection reflects this struggle. Titled The Eye of the Beholder, it speaks to her frustration with the art world’s exclusivity, while simultaneously expressing her deep love for art as a form of communication.

In another piece, Clo explores the concept of time. She observes how people tend to dwell on the past or obsess over the future, neglecting the present moment. In contrast, Clo’s art keeps her grounded in the present, a refuge where time ceases to exist. One artwork, A Future in the Past, reflects her understanding of how time weaves through her experiences and yet feels so abstract in the real world.

In Patchwork Reality, Clo also delves into her perception of reality itself. She often feels that her sensitivity and deep thinking make it difficult for her to engage with the world as others do. Her heightened awareness and inability to communicate these profound feelings lead her to internalize her emotions, which she then channels into her art. Through abstract shapes, blocks of colour, and intricate patterns, Chloe reveals how she sees the world—a fragmented, multifaceted patchwork of experience.

Purpose and Message

At its core, Patchwork Reality encourages viewers to embrace the idea that life doesn’t have to be understood or complete. Clo’s patchwork compositions convey the message that it’s okay for life to be chaotic, for emotions to be disjointed, and for reality to be made up of fragments. There’s beauty in observing life as a collection of moments, thoughts, and experiences that don’t necessarily need to make sense. The purpose of this collection is to allow viewers to see that, just like in Clo’s art, we can patch together the pieces of our lives and still create something meaningful. Her art serves as a reminder that the imperfections and cracks in reality are what give life its unique texture and depth. Through her unconventional techniques and abstract expression, Clo opens the door for others to decode their own experiences and see the beauty in the patchwork of their own realities.