Jeska Valk

Local Contemporary Art Prize 2026 – Finalist

Image courtesy of the artist.

Jeska Valk | Jellyfish | 2025 | oil on canvas | 155 x 103cm 

TThis piece is an evolution from my signature Lace series, extending a familiar thread into a new and fluid direction. It brings together the intricate complexity of lace with the quiet stillness of the jellyfish, uniting structure and serenity.

Lace has become a defining symbol within my practice. Though often perceived as delicate, its true strength lies in its construction - the more intricately it is woven, the stronger and more resilient it becomes.

The jellyfish, an enduring icon of the sea, drifts with effortless grace and undeniable beauty. Beneath its ethereal presence lies remarkable resilience, adaptability, and quiet strength. Its simplicity is deceptive; through subtle behavioural adaptations shaped by past experiences, the jellyfish reveals a refined and efficient intelligence.

Together, these forms speak to the power of intricacy and simplicity - a meditation on strength that is both delicate and enduring.