Bio
Jane Pickersgill lives and works in London, with a studio in Deptford: an area she knows well having lived there when she first moved to London. She recently graduated with an MFA (Fine Art) from Wimbledon College of Art (UAL) . Much of her work since then has been informed by social mobility and aspiration, characteristics which are echoed in the gentrification of the local neighbourhood - the outward ripples from the financial district just across the river.
For many years, Jane pursued a successful career in fashion design, a field which she draws upon in her inter disciplinary art practice. She co-opts processes associated with textiles, but also employs photography, drawing and painting. Of interest to her is the transformation of banal materials into desirable objects, and the way in which contemporary culture fetishizes these. Architectural edifice operates as a metaphor for aspiration and social mobility. Her enquiries take in urban renewal, the allure of city life, its commodification, and the promise of transformation which it poses to a continual influx of newcomers.
She participated in the Processions 2018 events commemorating the centenary of women's suffrage. Her grandmothers played a formative role in her early upbringing and they were the first generation of women to be enfranchised. Following on from Processions she has been engaged in an ongoing project Honouring my Grandmother......Whilst Escaping her Legacy. It interrogates and celebrates the skills learnt from her maternal grandmother which are being recontextualised in her practice.
Education
MFA Fine Art (Merit) Wimbledon College of Art (UAL). 2016-18
PTLLS (Preparation to teach in the lifelong learning sector) Lewisham College. 2009
Dip. Management Studies London South Bank University. 1992
BA (Hons) 2:1 Fashion. Northumbria University. 1979
Selected volunteering and professional development roles - some ongoing.
Jerwood Drawing Competition - art handler - administrative tasks and stacking, sorting work for acceptance and return, displaying work for the judging panel.
Southbank Centre - visitor services team leader - invigilation duties, promotion of events, tourist information, managing team rotas, reporting and dealing with front facing health & safety issues.
CRUK-Retail Assistant - cashier & visual merchandiser, stocktaking, sorting and evaluating donations, promoting awareness at fundraising events.
Sydenham Arts Festival - box office sales & event steward, community promotion duties.
Severndroog Castle Building Preservation Trust -visitor services/guiding, box office and sales, supervising educational visits, devising and leading family activity workshops.
Prior to commencing the masters she studied painting and printmaking at Morley College, London. Her practice included self employment as a freelance designer, associate lecturing at F/E level, and running craft workshops.
Professional skills from employment ( including a Directorship role ) in the fashion business:
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Product design & development
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Costing & price/sales negotiation
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Client relationships
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Public speaking
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Time & project management
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Problem solving
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Mentoring and staff development
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Researching market opportunities
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Visual merchandising
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Planning and implementation of trade exhibitions and shows
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Writing copy for press material - liaison with publications