ARTIST STATEMENT
The intricate workings of the human psyche and the unseen layers of the mind profoundly shape how we perceive ourselves and the world. Beyond influencing how we process information, the psyche also governs how we think, feel, and respond to the external world.
Swiss psychoanalyst and psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung defined the psyche as the conscious and unconscious totality of the mind (Jung, 1960)—a realm as complex as it is mysterious. His categorization and study of the mind sparked in me an intense need to explore how the psyche, particularly the shadow and the self, shapes my experiences of mental illness and trauma. In Man and His Symbols (1964), Jung describes the shadow as a part of the psyche operating beyond our conscious awareness, containing the aspects of ourselves we reject: unwanted traits, desires, and impulses that remain unrecognized by the conscious mind. Jung suggests that by consciously engaging with the shadow, we can move toward a more balanced and integrated self.
While Jung’s concepts inform my conceptual development, my work is primarily driven by personal experiences with mental illness and trauma. This has evolved into practice-led research that integrates therapy, introspection, meditation, prayer, and the confrontation of my own fears and insecurities.
The Flowers Are Still There is a body of work born from this process, visualizing the unveiling, confrontation, and acceptance of my shadow as a means of healing, reclamation, and individuation. Through this work, I explore elements of my unconscious, engaging with repressed emotions, memories, and behaviors that form the intangible shadow. It is, at its core, a self-reflective journey to understand, confront, and transform my shadow.
The title, The Flowers Are Still There, symbolizes the ecstasy I felt upon returning to a place of darkness after years of struggle, only to discover that the flowers—though imperceptible during my darkest hours—had been there all along.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Jako Pretorius (b. 1994, South Africa), known professionally as OKAJ, is a visual artist currently completing a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Multimedia Arts at the University of South Africa (UNISA).
Specializing in mixed media, Jako’s work delves into the complexities of the human psyche, focusing on the ever-evolving nature of humanness and the interconnectedness of soul, mind, body, nature, and God. He explores the interplay of color, texture, and emotion, using a metaphorical approach to comment on mental health, psychological states such as addiction, depression, and schizophrenia, and the broader social implications tied to these themes.
Jako’s creative process embraces a variety of mediums, techniques, and experimental methods. He is inspired by the versatility of combining materials to create artworks that are colorful, quirky, and bold. His community work serves as a significant source of inspiration, as he draws from the resilience and growth of those he encounters to convey themes of strength and transformation in his art.
Through his unique visual language, Jako seeks to spark reflection and dialogue, offering an authentic exploration of the human condition.
