Jessy Plant

About the artist

I was born in Brighton, into a creative family. Although they had taken careers in academic-based fields there was an artistic curiosity within each of them. Being so close to London I was lucky enough to visit the big London museums and galleries frequently. With personal tours given by my very knowledgeable Dad and Grandad. I believed that my work life would go the same as theirs; find a science-based career path. Then take up painting or writing in my free time, or after retirement. They must have known that I didn't have the temperament for waiting. As both appeared pleased when I moved my focus away from veterinary or marine biology.

I was lucky to have the guidance and training from my Grandad, who had completed his Fine Arts degree after his retirement. I spent many hours at his studio in Ditchling, learning from him and gaining much experience. These are now precious moments since he passed away in 2016 when I was in the second year of my own Fine Arts degree. I learned so much and gained so much experience from working with my Grandad. Watching him build his craft has helped me have the confidence to build my own. I do miss his critiques as well as his compassionate support of the work that I create.

His passing was a huge catalyst, towards the paintings I now produce. While still developing my own style at university I also had to strike my own path out of the shadow of Grandad. The themes of my work still find their roots in the foundations built by my Grandad's teaching. Yet the outcomes produced are vastly different. My fascination for colour, composition, and process has always been a starting point. But each year I build on how I want to explore those themes.

Over recent years my visual language has developed into two interwoven styles. The abstract work that I have created since university has built my visual language. Focused on the process behind what it is to be an artist while pushing the compositional possibilities of abstraction. This practice built a foundation, with which I now present personal memories. Painting photoreal silhouettes on top of the abstract compositions that they inspired.

While working on my artistic practice I have also developed my skills into a career. Including roles in curation, graphic design, web design, and arts administration. This helps me to build balance in the work that I do, sharing my experience between my own practice and supporting local venues. I now live with my partner in Stroud, Gloucestershire which is a small market town. I have found a thriving artistic community here, which has built up my confidence. I am very lucky to have found such a creative, supportive, and active community to live and work with. So I love being able to give my time to these venues that are always so supportive to artists at all stages in their careers.