Softcover book of the full series of Stage IV drawings by Jason Jam. At this moment, we will be ordering a new batch of books. Please order now. We will ship yours when more arrive.
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Kirks’ Grocery is proud to present the catalog for the Stage IV series of drawings by Jason Jam.
This complements the exhibition Stage IV: Jason Jam and Stephanie Dishno at Kirks’ Grocery from February 6 through March 21, 2026.
Jason Jam, an artist with “cancer of unknown primary,” drew the erotic female imagery in this catalog to find solace during aggressive chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments.
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"Art is life. Art is my existence. Art is my meaning. Yeah, art is life.
I enjoy nature, sunshine. I enjoy the world so much more because I always think that your sunsets are limited. Your blue skies are limited. Your thunderstorms are limited.
I was diagnosed with cancer of unknown primary. I just started chemotherapy and immunotherapy. I will have a procedure to neutralize the tumor on the liver.
I just tell myself that, well, it’s difficult now, but maybe it will buy me some more sunny days.
Drawing, having a crayon or pencil in my hand, meant that I had a safe place, that I had a calming place, that I had a place where I was in control. I want to get as much art, as many pieces created, as I can before I leave. Much like I said, I want to see the sunny days and thunderstorms and all that. I want to leave many pieces of art behind. With this time, I cannot tell myself, 'Oh I’ll get that painting done later.' I am much more motivated to be more creative.
The whole goal. I realized a while back when people started putting their art on their walls, when people were buying my art, that I will live. I won’t live forever, but a part of me will remain on this earth forever.
Like I say, the whole cancer thing means everything is out of my control. Art is in my control. When I hold the pencil or a brush, that’s something that I can control. I can plan it in my head how I want it to look and then I can execute it. It’s not about making money. It’s about me being in people’s minds forever."
Jason Jam