Sam Jacobs East Sussex, United Kingdom
Sam Jacobs is a British sculptor based in Brighton, UK. She creates complex, three-dimensional sculptures appropriating traditional knotting techniques. Jacobs has a strong interest in historical knotting, sustainable materials and public sculpture’s potential to create connections and conversations.
Using reclaimed and recycled rope, I build hand-knotted sculptures that examine making traditions of the past, embedded material histories and material sustainability. Finding meaning in the repurposed, I create PET plastic string from old bottles, collaborate with fishing companies to retrieve ‘ghost gear’ rope from the seabed, and hand-weave natural fibres. I knot rope onto welded metal frameworks, creating both small works and public installations that invite conversation. I seek to investigate labour and material histories, and speak a new language through tying, picking apart and knotting, to question the use and re-use of materials in the present ecological crisis.
Artwork
Order from disorder, Invisible String, 2023
The White Wreath, White 6mm Rope, 2024
Ascend and Renew, Retired Climbing Rope, 2025
Transfigured Light, Recycled PET plastic bottles, 2025
Shell, Manila, Hemp and Sisal Rope, 2025
Seed, Retired climbing rope, potato sack and recycled material, 2025
Verdant Vortex, Fishermans Rope, Stainless Steel and Steel base, 2026
Held Water, Reclaimed ghost fishing gear, steel armature and base, 2026
Projects and exhibitions
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‘The last blast of fresh air’14/06/2026 — 05/07/2026 |
Fresh Air Sculpture Park, Quenington, Cotswolds, UK | Details |
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Cement Art School CIC Exhibition of Mentees03/04/2026 — 26/04/2026 Sculpture: Exhibition of Mentees Artists Talks and Invigilated |
BN9 Gallery, Newhaven, UK | Details |
'Clay and String'07/11/2025 — 16/11/2025 Duo Show with Ceramicist David Millidge |
RHS Hyde Hall, Essex, UK | Details | |
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Wells Contemporary08/10/2025 — 01/11/2025 Sculpture: Site specific Installation for St Katherines Chapel within Wells Cathedral as part of Wells Contemporary. |
Wells Cathedral, Somerset, UK | Details |
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'Undoings' - Sussex Contemporary14/06/2025 — 07/07/2025 Undoings explores works on the threshold between the made and unmade |
BN9 Gallery, Newhaven, UK | Details |
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'Theatrical Ceramic and Sculptural String'24/07/2024 — 28/07/2024 Duo Show with Ceramicist David Millidge |
OXO Gallery, London, UK | Details |
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The Other Art Fair12/10/2023 — 15/10/2023 Exhibition of Visual Arts Organisation Finalists - Silver Orb awarded Finalist in Sculpture |
The Other Art Fair, The Truman Brewery, London, UK | Details |