Jessica Frascht Illustrator and designer from Luxembourg

Jessica studied communications design in Trier, Germany. In April 2024 she completed her MA in illustration and book design. During her studies, Jessica developed a love for different print techniques such as screen printing and linocut, and the different resulting textures. Through her illustrations she wants to present new and old subject matters in a new light.

One of the main throughlines of her work is feminism and the complexities and questions around it. On the one hand, Jessica loves manual techniques such as papercutting and print techniques like screen printing, linocut, woodcut and monoprint. On the other hand, she likes to take the skills learned through these manual techniques and apply and transform them in a digital form. Most of her designs and illustrations are characterized by abstract shapes, bright colors, and rich textures.

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What brought you to the arts?

I have always enjoyed painting. For as long as I can remember, art has been a refuge as well as a passion for me. I have an anecdote for this: I was so scared of my first day of daycare that my mother took me to buy a coloring book beforehand which was meant to help me sooth my nerves. But on the day my mother forgot to pack my coloring book. I felt so out of place, and I longed for my coloring book so much that I ran away. Luckily a woman found me and brought me back.

How did you come to take part in Cornelia’s Artists in Residence Program?

Some of my fellow students and myself were lucky enough to be able to exhibit our original work at the Picture Book Museum Troisdorf, with the subject ‘classics re-illustrated’ in an exhibition organized by our professor Henriette Sauvant. I worked on my illustrations for this exhibition during the Covid pandemic. Very fittingly, I worked on Rainer Maria Rilke’s poem "The Panther". I worked with two-colored screen prints for this project. Shortly after our exhibition, Cornelia exhibited her own magical, illustrated worlds, which is how she ended up in touch with the University Trier.

How did you like your time at Fraggina? Did you find inspiration?

At first the experience felt very surreal. From the moment you step into Fraggina, the energy of the place takes over. You immediately feel the strength and incredible beauty of Fraggina. You are welcomed with open arms, can fully focus on your work, and have lively exchange with like-minded people. Cornelia opens up a new world and freedom for you with her personality and this magical place. You can forget the day to day and focus on yourself. For me it was an incredibly important experience that I probably could not have had in any other place on earth. Besides the beautiful nature, all of the great personalities you meet there are very inspiring.

What did you take back with you?

At Fraggina I learned to work more freely and with my hands again. It has always been difficult for me to follow my intuition and not to think about concepts or requirements. After several years of working digitally I rediscovered my love of colored pencil. I also took the community of talented people and great new friendships home with me. (And of course a few extra pounds from all the great food.)