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Jaco Haasbroek

Besides having an interesting surname, (“haas” meaning rabbit and “broek” meaning pants), Jaco Hassbroek’s name and art is spreading fast around South Africa. Born in Pretoria; Jaco now lives in Cape Town, doing private and commercial work for various clients and businesses as an illustrator/designer.

Since graduating from Stellenbosch University in 2007, he is still an up and coming artist who has become synonymous for his quirky 2-dimensional characters (who sometimes give sweet and clever punch lines), and his plush felt toys. His unique characters and toys have been in high demand, and have somewhat become his signature style here in South Africa. He has done wall murals for various little businesses here in the Cape as well.

His art works are overall “inspired by nature”, but they also resemble those funky little 8-bit characters from the early T.V games! His work mainly constitutes of bold lines and flat colours that are transformed into delicious little worlds which reflect those profound emotions and experiences in life.


Jaco HaasbroekJaco Haasbroek


A little about your background: Where and what did you study, and where are you based now?

I studied Fine Arts at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. I am originally from Johannesburg, but now I live in Cape Town.


You paint. Describe you influences for your art work. What else inspires you and what’s fuelling you now?

I think my main inspiration is from nature. There is so much beauty in the natural world, and I feel that all our creativity comes from God. It's in those moments when my creativity flows freely that I feel most inspired. I am also inspired by music, language and by other people and their creations.


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Mural for Tinsel, Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock


You had your work displayed at Cape Town’s Salon 91 “No Strange Land” exhibition. Talk about the works you did for that.

The paintings I made for the show focused on the idea of land, or the physical spaces around us; be it real or imaginary.

The painting " Six and Out" is about the feeling I used to get when I would have to fetch the ball I was playing with from a neighbor’s yard. (In backyard cricket, if you hit the ball over the fence you were given six runs, but you were also given out). It's right next door, but yet it seemed so foreign. It was a very strange feeling going into someone else's territory.

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When The Ocean Meets The Sky (2009) Acrylic On Canvas

The other paintings "Untitled" and "When the Ocean Meets the Sky" portray a specific emotional or physical moment in a journey. I also exhibited some plush toys, which were all based on songs. I feel my works focus on the way I interpret the things around me and from how I see and experience them.


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Red Bull Music Academy


You also do commercial projects as an “illustrator/conceptual designer” at an ad agency. The work you did for the Red Bull Music Academy was amazing. It’s also quite different from your previous works. How was it received?

Thanks! When you work in a commercial realm, you are expected to change and adapt to the styles that the clients want. We were all really happy with the way the campaign came together. I haven't really received any feedback on it, but my friends all seemed to like it and that was a bonus. I am really enjoying the work because it is teaching me a thing or two about the design community and, in turn, I am applying my new skills to my own work.


Your other commercial works include the “Sportscene Sneakers with Sole campaign” in which you designed the boxes as well as currently doing designs for “Threadless” T-shirts. Tell us more on those.

The “Sportscene” project was a treat. We were asked to design the boxes, and we had the freedom to do whatever we wanted. In addition, they gave the artists all the credit, which was great. I've really enjoyed making and submitting designs to “Threadless”. It is proving quite tricky to get them printed though. There are some amazing designs on the site. It's very inspiring.


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Work entitled, right, “Samuel Eastgate” (2009)


You also make those dolls; plush felt and wooden versions. Where did the idea for those little guys come from? (Are they in rabbit suits?)

I read an article in “Creative Review” on the plush toys that were being produced by designers from all over the world. I had also started looking at the beautiful vinyl toys that were online. When I saw some felt squares in my local art shop, I decided to start making my own toys. The first ones were very basic and they slowly progressed from there. I got the idea of putting them in little suits from the music video for “Poor Leno” by Royksopp. Oh, how I wish I could make my own vinyl toys!


You took part in this year’s Design Indaba. How was that?

Awesome! It was a great experience. and the exposure I received was amazing.


What more can we expect from Haasbroek Art this year?

At this point my day job is taking up most of my time, so I have to make time for my own work. However, when I make new artworks, I really enjoy it. I am looking at making some new toy designs, and maybe printing some of my illustrations onto T-Shirts. Also, I want to just have fun and explore different processes, maybe even make some music or short films. It's an exciting time.


If some weird evolution spurt happened and rabbits really did land up having to wear pants, and you were ordered to design a special type of pants for them (lest they go about in half-naked in shame!), what would the pants be about?

Hahaha! Probably jeans, in a variety of colours. But only if they were comfortable enough for the rabbits.


You can check out more of Jaco’s work on his Flikr page and Facebook group.


Text: Bertina Appel

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