User Account

Artist

Jenni Willson

Bath Spa University (BA Textile Design for Fashion and Interiors / 2011)

Interview

What is your favourite film of all time?

I like loads of different genres of film, but a film i can watch over and over is Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge and Rob Marshall's NINE and Chicago. I like musicals!

What music are you currently listening to and why?

I like electro music as it really helps to motivate me! 

Which living artists do you most admire and why?

I most admire Alison Willouby the skirt Textile Artist. She makes simple A line skirts and puts the most amazing Textiles on them! She uses so many different materials and textures, i think they really stand out from what anyone else does or has done in the past. I think she's also really great at promoting herself and getting her work out there. 

Which deceased artist do you most admire and why?

Francis Bacon, he's really dark and creepy. I was really influnenced by him when i was at school and he inspired a lot of my older work. 

Which exhibition that you have visited made the greatest impact on you and why?

I went to Paris in 2007 and saw the Christian Lacroix exhibiton celebrating the 20th Anniversary of couture. It was the most inspiring collection i have ever seen and will probably ever see! This exhibition made me realise how badly i wanted to be in the creative industry, even if it wasn't doing fashion, i wanted to be doing something so i could continue to do and see amzing things. 

What is the question you get asked most frequently about your work and how do you answer it?

 What is it and what does it mean!? Most of my work focusses on texture and different use of materials. I don't belive everything needs to have a reason or meaning, as long as i can explain where my inspiration has come from and my process and technique, i don't try and find some hidden meaning behind what it is. 

What / who inspired you to be an artist?

If i'm being honest i don't remember! I have taken art and textiles since school and all i used to do in my spare time was draw, paint, rip up materials for collage and sew. I've always been self motivated and even though i am influenced by lots of artists/textile artists, i think it was myself who decided i was going to go down the path i have. I always got encouraged by my parents and my Art teacher to go down the creative path and to do whatever makes me happy so i guess in hind sight it was them.

Can you tell us about where you make your art and what if any the significance of this location is?

I graduated from university last year, so when i moved back to Plymouth, i worked at a desk surrounded by newsplaper so i didn't get paint on the carpet! But since moving to London i do all my work at my flat. I have my photographs and work all around my room so it's the most inspiring place for me to be in. 

What do you like most about being an artist?

It's not just a hobby or what i enjoy doing, it's my career. I want to make pieces that make people smile and interact with. As my work is very textural it's nice to see people say "can i touch it!" I like being able to be myself and my own person and feel that i can put all of my energy into something which is going to mean something at the end.

What is your greatest achievement as an artist to date?

My greatest achievment will always be selling my first piece of my work from my degree show. It made me believe a bit more in myself and made me realise that after such a long three years at universtity, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel! 

I have also relocated to London now and said a year ago i wanted my work to be in a shop/gallery, which i have succeeded in doing.

What are your plans for the coming year?

Over the next year whilst in London, i want to continue freelancing but also get my work into more galleries and have my own private exhibition.

I also want to start concentrating on some applied textile pieces to sell. 

Latest artwork - View all by this artist

  • Crackled Black
    Size(HxWxD):25x20x1.5cm
    £45.00
  • Curve
    Size(HxWxD):21x14x0.1cm
    £40.00
  • Sy
    Size(HxWxD):7x7x1cm
    £18.00
  • Pink Diamonds
    Size(HxWxD):7x7x1cm
    £18.00
  • Blue Crease
    Size(HxWxD):20x13.5x0.1cm
    £30.00
  • Horror
    Size(HxWxD):21x14x0.1cm
    £35.00
  • Bumble Orange
    Size(HxWxD):40x15x2cm
    £45.00
  • Chronic
    Size(HxWxD):21x14x0.1cm
    £40.00
  • Cracked Shopping Centre
    Size(HxWxD):21.5x30x0.1cm
    £130.00
  • Scaffolding Building
    Size(HxWxD):21x29x0.1cm
    £130.00

Artist's statement

 I studied a BA textiles for fashion and interiors at Bath Spa University and have recently graduated. By using different materials and fabrics, I experiment with surface and texture. I take inspiration from different surfaces which are eroding, peeling, damaged and layered. I use photography and different Medias to show my interpretation of the image taken. I especially enjoy working from cracked graffiti and derelict buildings. 

Exhibitions

 

  • Work currently in Live With Me gallery/shop, Columbia Road, East London
  • Tavistock Market Stall – I have sold my work at Tavistock Pannier Market, Plymouth
  • I had textile pieces as well as paintings showing in Relegacy gallery on the Barbican, Plymouth
  • Talk with year eleven students at Tavistock School – for this talk I brought in my portfolio to show the students the learning potential if they choose to stay on for further education within the creative arts
  • Work has been featured on fashion vignette blog
  • One Saville Row, window display– Bath – 2011 – Exploring the Surface
  • Walcot Chapel Exhibition – Bath – 2010 – Transparency Exhibition
  • Premiere Vision Trade show– Paris – 2010

                 

Recently sold artwork

  • Bump
    Size(HxWxD):20x14x0.1cm
  • Taille
    Size(HxWxD):21x14.5x0.1cm
  • 3.2cm
    Size(HxWxD):21x14x0.1cm
  • Costura
    Size(HxWxD):20x14x0.1cm
  • Pink peel
    Size(HxWxD):20x14x0.1cm
  • Blue Bubble
    Size(HxWxD):21x14.5x0.1cm
  • Just Dance
    Size(HxWxD):20.5x14x0.1cm
  • Show Of Strength
    Size(HxWxD):21x15x0.1cm
  • Blue Run
    Size(HxWxD):14x18.5x0.1cm
  • Torn and Scribble
    Size(HxWxD):14x20.5x0.1cm
  • Green Brick
    Size(HxWxD):0.1x15x10cm
  • Purple Folds
    Size(HxWxD):13x18x0.1cm
  • Crackle
    Size(HxWxD):13.5x18x0.1cm
  • Peeled Graffiti
    Size(HxWxD):0.1x18x12.5cm
  • Blue Rust
    Size(HxWxD):12x18.5x0.1cm
  • Text and Bricks
    Size(HxWxD):0.1x17x11cm
  • Pink Wall
    Size(HxWxD):0.1x19x13cm
  • Textured Wall
    Size(HxWxD):30x21x0.2cm
  • Eroded and Peeled
    Size(HxWxD):30x21x0.2cm
  • Eroded Graffiti
    Size(HxWxD):0.1x22x15cm
  • Peel back the Rust
    Size(HxWxD):1x15x10cm
  • Blue Building
    Size(HxWxD):0.1x13.5x9.5cm
  • Cracked and Stitched
    Size(HxWxD):23x16x1cm