Jana Zornik is a cross-disciplinary artist and designer based in London, who is primarily interested in creating emotional, sensorial, conceptual work that revolve around the body, the human condition and the magical physicality of the mundane. She finds herself shifting between various media which consequently inspire her invention of peculiar artefacts, including objects, wearables and interactive sculptures or spaces.
There is a sense of odd functionality imbued with ritualistic spirit and a quest for freedom.
Her artefacts wish to ignite a spark, fill the cracks and give comfort to an otherwise rocky human experience. They complete the human by serving as transitional tools and habitats for experiencing a more fulfilled, triumphant self, overcoming different life situations. Ultimately they become mediators for the exploration of one’s identity, providing a new makeshift habitat for unexplored thoughts and emotions.
In her practice, the body is invoked through various modes of presence and absence, like bodily / public interaction, physical reflection or the breathing rite. The mundane, the overlooked and the ready made is reconsidered, reshaped and repurposed into a new narrative.
While having her own practice, Jana Zornik works cross-disciplinary in different creative industries, from fashion and lifestyle design brands to theatre and the movie industry, to education.
Swatch / product designer;
Swatch Group / freelance jewellery designer;
Roberts/Wood / set artefacts;
Wanbing Huang / body artefacts;
Warner Bross studios, HBO, Apple tv, Netflix / costume stand by;
Slovenian National Theatre / costume designer;
London College of Fashion, Istituto Marangoni / visiting lecturer.
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Awards, recognitions, residencies:
Grant for visual artists, Ministry of Culture, Slovenia (2021);
London Creative Network, Cockpitarts, alumni (2021)
Sarabande : The Alexander McQueen Foundation, studio resident (2019);
Machines Room: Cohort member residency, East London, Vyner street, residency (2018-2019); International Talent Support: Accessories and Artwork, finalist (2016);
ITS Swatch Artwork prize, winner (2016);
Lidewij Edelkoort's Talent 2009, participant (2009);
Fashion Matters award, winner (2016);
Fashion Matters bursary, receiver(2016);
Better Lives Procter & Gamble Award, receiver(2015);
Award for Contributions to Sustainable Development of Society from the Slovenian Human Resources and Scholarship Funds, receiver (2009);
The Special Achievement Award from the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Natural Science and Engineering, receiver (2009).
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Exhibitions:
CD Gallery / Cankarjev dom, “Open Globus”, Ljubljana, SI, group show (September-November 2024);
Smythson X LCF, "Out of the blue", Smythson flagship store, 131-132 Bond Street, London, UK (2023);
Z33 House for Contemporary Art, Design and Architecture, "Fitting In", Hasselt, BE (2022/23);
ITS Arcademy, "The First Exhibition", curated by: Olivier Saillard, Trieste, IT (2022 private opening, 2023 public opening);
Goldsmiths University, "PRESSURE POINTS: Holding Bodies as Collateral”, London, UK (2022);
New Brewery Arts gallery, "Shoes have names", Cirencester, UK (2022);
Velenje Gallery, solo exhibition "A Human Experience", Velenje, SI (2021/22)
Burberry's temporary gallery space - Mayfair, Sarabande: "House of Bandits", London, UK (2020);
Virtual Shoe Museum, Lola and Up/Rooted, permanent collection, internet: https://virtualshoemuseum.com/ (2020);
London Craft Week, Shelter boutique, "Shoes have names", London, UK (2020);
National Museum of Decorative Arts, "Why What Who", Buenos Aires, ARG (2019);
Museum of Architecture and Design, "Creators", Ljubljana, SI (2019);
YKK London Showroom, "Extra-ordinary rituals", London, UK (2018);
ArcelorMittal Orbit, "Royal visit for the Olympic Project", London, UK (2016);
International Talent Support, "The 15th: Utopia", Trieste, IT (2016);
Swatch lab, Object for Self-Reflection, permanent collection, Zürich, CH (2016-)
Month of Design Ljubljana, SI (2012);
Designhuis, Lidewij Edelkoort’s talent forcast show "Talent 2009", Eindhoven, NDL (2009).
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Education:
MA Fashion Artefact, London College of Fashion, UK;
MA in Fashion and Textile Design, Faculty of Natural sciences and Engineering Ljubljana, SI;
Design Skolen Kolding, Fashion and Textile Design, exchange year, DK;
Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design, study visit, HUN.
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For the full CV, creative commissions or collaborations get in touch here:
instagram: @janazornik
Creative direction for the website: Kairos studio
Art direction for the website: Sebastian Vargas
Design and Typeface for the website: Nolan Paparelli
Website: Lukas Stocklin and Pablo Perez