We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jordan Eagles. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jordan below.

Alright, Jordan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

There are so many at this point. Every time I embark on a new work or series it feels extremely meaningful at that moment. There are projects–and certain works–that have had a lasting impact on me either because it taught me something new that I was able to incorporate into my practice moving forward or it forced me into new territory and there was no going back. BAR 1-9, is a large-scale work made of nine leaning panels that in total is 32 ft wide by 8 ft tall. I had never made a work with so many panels and especially at that scale. My Energy works express inner strength exploding and radiating outwards into the cosmos–or as though you are looking into the head of an erupting volcano. Energy works are fundamental to my body of work and something I will always return to when I need to be grounded and focused. They are a personal meditation in the studio. Blood Mirror was the first project I ever did with human blood–donated by members of the LGBTQI+ community–and brought a completely different point of view to the work. Most of my work has a spiritual and philosophical aspect, but Blood Mirror also has a crucial social message about the importance of science and equality.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I began working with blood as an artistic medium in the late 1990’s. Exploring the visual power and cultural uses of blood are the main focus of my practice, which includes painting, sculpture, installation, photography and video. The themes of my work vary depending on the project, series, and source of the blood used in the project. The work created with animal blood address themes of corporeality, spirituality, and regeneration and has a strong focus on the organic material’s physical and dynamic qualities. Preservation is an important part of my work. A technique, with UV resin, permanently retains the organic material’s natural colors, patterns, and textures. When lit, the works can become translucent and luminous, reflecting the many layers suspended throughout the resin, revealing the blood’s visceral properties and energy.

A decade ago, I also began to work on more politically motivated series, with blood donated from members of the LGBTQI+ community. These works and series are utilized to advocate for fair blood donation policies, anti-stigma, and equality issues that continue to affect the LGBTQI+ community today. In the United States and in many parts of the world, gay and bisexual men are still unable to donate blood–regardless of HIV status–because of discriminatory policies that were put into place at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. Bias towards the LGBTQI+ community perpetuates horrible stigma and the continuation of unnecessary policies that have no basis in modern science.

Blood is very often thought of solely in the context of violence and disease. But in fact it also keeps us alive and can be used to help others in times of great need. At the core of my work, I treat blood as a sacred life-force that runs through all living beings with a vital energy.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Absolutely. I am always trying to push myself further and create work in new ways that I hadn’t before–be it sculpture, painting or even works in the digital realm–while still always respecting the essence of the material and the central philosophies and mission that inspire the work. Experimentation in the studio is crucial. My intentions are to produce work that captures the imagination of the viewer, inspire conversations about body/spirit and our connection to the Universe, and raise awareness about the important equality issues.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

A few things. There is something so gratifying about completing a work or series, something I might have been spending months on and then it’s finally realized. The work didn’t exist in the material world before it was created, and the journey of an idea existing in the mind and then, through an intense physical process, becomes an object–it is a form of birth and new life. It’s also wonderful to collaborate with individuals, organizations and institutions on projects and be able to share them with viewers. So much can happen when people come together. It is extremely meaningful when viewers are inspired by my work and that connection is formed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jordaneagles.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordaneagles/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JordanEagles

Image Credits
The portrait of Jordan Eagles is by David Meanix