Jennifer Forberg joined the Art Rental + Sales program in 2022. Originally a make-up artist in the film industry for 16 years, Forberg was inspired by design from an early age, always aspiring to work with design, art, and spaces. With specific interest in mid-century modern, Scandinavian, Japandi, and modern minimalism design, her artworks take on elements of these movements, along with the results of experimenting with negative space, shapes, textures, and “finding the beauty in imperfection.” Living a vegan life, and being an animal activist are very important to Forberg, who originally started her website as a way to raise awareness on the plight of animals. A percentage of every sale of her artwork is donated to the various animal shelters she sponsors.
Erin Cooper: Would you consider yourself a full-time artist? How many years have you worked at your practice?
Jennifer Forberg: Do I consider myself a full-time artist? Yes. I create things every day, or if I’m not physically doing it I am thinking about a project to create. This is how my brain works. [It] kinda never stops. Since I was a small child picking out my own clothes to wear, I have always been partaking in art. My mother made sure if I wasn’t dancing, that I was in some sort of art class. Also, my grandma was an artist and very creative, so we were constantly busy doing projects. I think I wallpapered my first room at age 10 at our cottage.
How long have you been in Victoria?
I have grown up in a few cities in Canada, including Sidney where now I reside full-time.
Can you share a bit about your background in art? Are you self-taught? Do you have some structured training?
As to being formally trained in art at an actual art school, the answer would be no. However, I was in many art classes growing up, and also went to a film school for makeup design for film and television in Vancouver.
What are some common concepts or themes that run through your work?
There have been some concepts that inadvertently made their way into some of my pieces. Although I don’t always intend on it, my animal rights have been a running theme on more than one occasion! It is a good way to start conversations in regard to all forms of animal exploitation. I started my website hoping to raise awareness of the plight of animals and give a percent of every piece sold to different animal rescues or shelters.
How do you prepare and research for your practice?
Research? Ha! No. All my research comes from within my rabbit hole of a brain. Although, if I want to use a different medium than my norm for the project, I will most definitely read the instructions, lol.
What, if anything, about your work do you find challenging?
Challenging parts of my work are usually just the fear that my bonkers ideas will not translate. I am an avid believer in no rules (even written on my walls in my art space). But I will always listen to my inner gut. And for the most part it most always prevails. What is the worst that can happen? If we don’t experiment where would we be? But that has taken time… the “scared to touch something in the case I ‘wreck’ it stage.” However, I have realized that is where the magic happens.
Which artists inspire you?
I resonate with other artists that have more forward-thinking ideas that are outside the box. I do appreciate artists that can paint unbelievable realistic work, as I do not have that skill. But I would say that abstract work is definitely more the style I love. Some of the artists I love would be Francesco Clemente, Peggy Kuiper, Jason Hackenwerth, and of course the famous Basquiat. Equally loved is my passion for architecture and design which is all art anyway, isn’t it? I am a blend of both.
What are you working on currently?
I am currently trying to finish a space-inspired painting for you to take, lol.
Any plans for what’s next?
Plans? Well, I just designed a new fence that we will be installing, lol. Art comes in so many forms, doesn’t it? Often at the expense of my husband, and dogs, Oslo and Hendricks. I am forever changing our spaces.
By Erin Cooper, AGGV Art Rental and Sales Coordinator.
To see more more artwork by Jennifer Forberg, visit our website.
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Feature Image: Jennifer Forberg in her Sidney studio. Courtesy of the AGGV.
