Jo Ashby comes from a family of artists She trained at the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art, Oxford University, and Goldsmith’s College, London. As a child and young artist, she had spent time in Devon and Cornwall, where her mother had lived and worked for several years, so the sea and coastline have always been powerful influences in her work. More recently it has been the coast of West Cork and landscape of Kerry that have captivated her. Spending time living and working in her studio on Sherkin Island means that the sea is omnipresent and dominates her daily life. However, it would be too simplistic to say that she reproduces what she sees before her – it is more that Jo tries to capture a sense of the sea and coast to reflect their many moods.
Jo has gained a growing reputation for her carefully crafted works. She tends to work in series, exploring an image repeatedly over a period of time. Drawing is an important activity for her, which is evident in the exploration of rhythm and form, yet she also manages to create a powerful and distinctive atmosphere in each work. Jo can also become consumed by very specific projects, such as a strand or view across a valley. These will develop from a series of drawings and small paintings made on-site and then will be transferred to canvas in the studio.
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Jo has exhibited widely in England and Ireland, winning commendations and awards. Her work is represented in private and public collections across Europe. She is an Associate Member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists.
Selected galleries include:
The Warren Gallery, Castletownshend
West Cork Arts Centre, Skibbereen
The Tramyard Gallery, Dublin
Kilkenny Arts Festival, Kilkenny
The Stour Gallery, Shipston-on-Stour
Artmonsky Arts, London
Dulwich Picture Gallery, London
Stark Gallery, London
Mall Galleries, London
RBSA, Birmingham
Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead
Work
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