Jen Workman Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
I'm a self taught artist based in Cambridgeshire, whose work began in 2021. The art I create explores the ubiquity of emotional connection and loss, drawing upon imagery from the natural world & symbolistic objects - at times channelling these through lenses of human spirituality & surrealism.
I primarily work with oils but have also produced work with watercolours, soft pastels and mixed media. Across each of the mediums I use, I attentively realise the variety of colours present in the world around us, drawing out the transitory hues of colour that are revealed with the movement of light.
The art I produce offers reflections on the diversity of lived experience; shifting its focus from motherhood to more sombre themes of grief, death, and the impact of childhood trauma. Each work delves into these memories and charts the mental and physical changes that were evoked.
In this way my work speaks to the past and the present, incorporating the immediacy of the experience and the mind’s subsequent reflections in art that manifests how our view on life subtly shifts with time. These works are both challenging and emotionally affirming - portraying mental health decline, but also recovery.
I've exhibited in group shows in London, Halifax, Norfolk & Sheffield. My artwork has been featured on a single cover for Northumbrian folk musician Frankie Archer. I'm currently working on a series which explores the psychological effects of motherhood & female vulnerability.
Artwork
Phantom Cry , Oil on canvas, 2022, £300
Come Walk With Me , Oil on canvas, 2023, £400
The Nets , Oil on canvas, 2023, £130
(Un)natural Disaster , Mixed media on canvas, 2022, £400
Last Cigarette With You , Oil on canvas, 2021, £250
You Lit This Candle For You , Oil on canvas, 2021, £250
Thinning Of The Veil , Oil on canvas, 2021, £200
January Blues , Oil on canvas, 2022, £200
Sinew , Watercolour on paper, 2022, £100
Respire , Soft pastel on pastelmat, 2022, £100
Pulse , Soft pastel on pastelmat, 2022, £100
Pressure, Soft pastel on pastelmat, 2022, £100
Projects and exhibitions
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Nature's Endurance: group exhibition10/03/2023 — ongoing ' Held as part of Artworks' The Joy of Nature 2023 events season, this exhibition is designed to create space for taking notice of the natural world around us. ‘Nature’s Endurance’ both celebrates the prevailing beauty of nature and considers the impact of humans upon it'. Exhibiting my oil painting 'The Blue Where You Grow' from my... [Read more] |
The Everybody Gallery, Artworks, Halifax | Details |
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Unconsumed: group exhibition by East Anglian artists04/03/2023 — 10/03/2023 'A cross-generational, multi-disciplinary, post pandemic exhibition by East Anglian artists'. Two of my works from my Square series, which explores grief & loneliness. |
The Shoe Factory, St Mary's Works, Norfolk | Details |
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Winter Solstice group exhibition19/12/2022 — 23/12/2022 January Blues oil painting ( from my square series which explores my experience of grief & loneliness) selected for group exhibition. |
Fronteer Gallery, Sheffield | Details |
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Commission for single artwork 'Close the Coalhouse door'20/07/2022 Commission for single artwork 'Close the Coalhouse door' for Frankie Archer - Northumbrian folk musician. |
n/a | Details |
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Spirituality - virtual online group exhibition15/02/2022 — 14/03/2022 Group exhibition showing two of works from the 'Squares' series which explores my experience of grief & loneliness. |
Tebbs Contemporary Gallery, Online | Details |
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The Holy Art Gallery Festive art market group exhibition31/12/2021 — 06/01/2022 First group exhibition showcasing three of my oil paintings from my 'Squares' series, which documents my experience of grief & loneliness. |
The Holy Art gallery, London | Details |