Lost & Found Faces: Artist Jade Krym’s Hidden Portraits in Color and Form
- Monica
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Jade is a painter currently based in Germany, working primarily with acrylics and mixed media. Her colorful, abstract pieces explore dreams, thoughts, and inner visions, often hiding subtle figurative elements within bold, surreal brushstrokes. She’s deeply influenced by her multicultural background and early education in Poland, and her work blends emotional honesty with expressive movement. Ahead of her participation in Basel Art Summer Camp, we caught up with Jade to talk about her creative journey, studio rituals, and the unexpected power of seeing a face in every canvas.
Jade Krym, how did your journey as an artist begin?
When I was little, I used to draw snails - perfectly shaped ones. Not the most dramatic start, I know, but they were so precise and detailed that my mom, who’s an artist herself, took notice. That sense of observing the world closely, and trying to translate it onto paper, has always been with me ever since. At 15, I left Germany for Poland to live in an art dorm: half my day was regular school, the other half was fully dedicated to art. Painting, gilding, which is the technique of layering thin sheets of gold onto other surfaces, and so much more… It was intense and beautiful. What’s amazing is that in Poland, many art schools are public, making art training accessible to many. That experience changed everything for me, it shaped who I am. Later, when I didn’t get into art university, it didn't discourage me. If anything, it nudged me closer to what felt true. I started making art for myself, expressing what I couldn’t say otherwise. I wanted to bring more color into the world — and into my world.
Tell us more about the kind of work you do and techniques you use.
I mainly work with acrylic on canvas, but I also experiment with mixed media, really whatever helps translate what I see in my head into something tangible. My work leans toward the abstract and surreal, often portraying dreams, thoughts, and inner visions. It’s less about depicting something literal and more about capturing a feeling or a moment that’s hard to define.
What drew you to this abstract and surreal style?
It was this tiny, almost secret exhibition in a psychiatric dormitory. A caregiver at the dorm brought us there after school, just a few of us. The artist was a resident and the works were mostly self-portraits, bold colors, thick lines, so raw and honest. I remember thinking, this is it. This is what art can be. Less is more and there can be depth in simplicity. It gave me permission to paint in a way that felt instinctive to me.
What do you find yourself returning to in your work — visually or emotionally?
Faces. Always. I used to doodle them during class, and they never left. Now they show up in my paintings - sometimes clearly, other times hidden in the layers. They’re like quiet little anchors in all the color and movement, sometimes you notice them, sometimes you don't. I always use a bright, colorful palette. I’m drawn to brushstrokes you can feel, visible ones that give the painting motion. And I like when a bit of dust or texture shows up uninvited on the canvas. It reminds you that the piece exists in the real world, not just in a conceptual space.
How has living in different countries shaped your approach to art?
Poland gave me discipline, structure, the grounding in technique. Germany gave me space. It’s where I started experimenting, where I learned to let go and become "Jade Krym the artist". Both places added something to my language as an artist. But I’m still dreaming of somewhere warm, where the sun is out more often and the sky is mostly blue. I think light plays such a big role in how we feel and how we create, and don't underestimate the power of Vitamin D.
Is there a particular artwork that felt like a turning point for you?
One piece from last year still stands out — The Companion. I created it for a small show hosted by a precious metal dealer, and it pushed me to blend the abstract with a bit more realism. It reminded me of the technical side of my training, while still being something deeply personal. It felt like reconnecting with an old part of myself, but in a new way.
What’s your studio routine like — do you have any rituals?
It's simple really, sort of like a quiet ritual. I always start by cleaning the space around me to not just physically, but to also mentally clear my headspace and reset my mind. I make sure I’ve eaten (because once I start, I forget everything), then make tea, put on music — jazz lately, or anything that flows without interrupting — and then I begin. I never start with a fixed plan. It’s about listening, responding, letting it unfold.
What would you say to someone thinking of making art their career?
Put yourself out there. Don’t wait for permission. Make the work you want to see. Share it. Say yes to opportunities, but also create your own. It’s easy to overthink, but art thrives in motion, so don't sit around waiting for things to happen.
As an artist, what drew you to Basel Art Summer Camp?
I’ve never been to Basel, and that mystery adds to the excitement. I’m generally a quiet person, but I love being around artists - that shared energy, even in silence, is really special. There’s something calming about being in a space where everyone is just... creating, without comparison. It reminds you that art is personal, but community makes it feel even more alive.
Huge thanks to Jade for sharing her story and spirit. You can see her work in person at Basel Art Summer Camp this June. RSVP here to be notified when her pieces go up:
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