Approved: 16.09.2013

Jenny Purrett

Artist, Teacher

Approved: 16.09.2013

Descartes talked about the eyes as tools for feeling the tactile textures of the world and for Jenny Purrett, drawing is about 'touching with the eyes.' The physicality of the produced mark as well as the idea that this mark is a kind of contact between artist and subject is central to her work.

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Artist Statement

Descartes talked about the eyes as tools for feeling the tactile textures of the world and for Jenny Purrett, drawing is about 'touching with the eyes.' The physicality of the produced mark as well as the idea that this mark is a kind of contact between artist and subject is central to her work.

Drawing is fundamental to her practice. She uses it to attempt to pin down that which cannot be pinned down. Aware that it is an activity which both separates and connects us to the things that surround us, she uses drawing as a record of seeing and of being: a shared existence in time and space between herself and her surroundings.

This desire for connectedness is what links her drawing and installation work. Interested in the inter-relationship of culture and nature, people and their environment, many of Jenny's installations are affected by viewers' interaction and will only last for the duration of an exhibition. 'The work's assimilation back into the environment is fundamental to its meaning, as a reminder that seasons and opportunities pass. I enjoy watching how a piece evolves once it has been handed over to the audience. I want people to have a visceral response to my work rather than a purely cerebral or visual one.'

CV & Education

Qualifications and training

2009 - MA Fine Art, Bath Spa University, Bath 

1998 - Post Graduate Certificate of Education, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh

1994 - BA Fine Art, University of Central England, Birmingham

Solo exhibitions

2018  Of the Earth   Solo exhibition, Research Cases, The National Glass Centre, Sunderland

2017  Assembled    InstallationAssembly House, Newcastle

2016  Making Sense   Customs House, South Shields

2013 -Touching with the Eyes, Customs House Gallery, South Shields 

2012 - Woolgathering, RSPB Geltsdale, Cumbria

2011 - Cumulation, Visual Arts in Rural Communities, Highgreen, Highreen, Tarset

2010 - Passing Time, Black Swan Arts, Frome

Group exhibitions

2015 Where is the line?    The Granary Gallery, North Berwick

2015 North   Group show, The World of Glass, St Helens

2015 Paper   Group Show, Salisbury Arts Centre

2014 - dRAW, Black Swan Arts, Frome

2013 - Unique Drawings, One Church Street Gallery, Great Missenden 

2010 - Here Today Gone Tomorrow, Fringe Arts Bath

2009 - Bristol Print Show, View Gallery, Bristol

2009 - Drawn In, Sidcot Arts Centre, Sidcot

2009 - MFA Show, Bath Spa University, Bath

2009 - The Old Curiosity Shop, Walcot Street, Bath

Projects & Residencies

2017 aa2a  Artist in Residence, Sunderland University.

2016  Making Sense  Drawing project with Sight Service, South Shields

2015  Exploring Drawing   Collaborative drawing project working with Sangini women's group at VARC, Highgreen, Northumberland

2015  Where is the line?    Drawing residency at North Berwick Arts.

2011-2012  Northumbria University AA2A 

2011 - Response: a rural-urban conversation , Collaboration between VARC and Newbridge Project, Highgreen, Northumberland/ Eldon Square, Newcastle

2010 - 2011 Visual Arts in Rural Communities, Northumberland