Jess Rippengale United Kingdom
  Back to profiles

Jess Rippengale grew up in southeast Cornwall and graduated from the University of Plymouth with a first-class BA (hons) in Fine Art. Her work has been shown in London through the Unravelling collective and Scotland with the Spilt Milk collective. Jess’s work explores the British coast through the medium of contemporary craft. She currently lives and works on a Dutch barge in Bristol.

Jess whittles crochet hooks from driftwood and uses them to create colourscapes of the beaches they came from, working with the idea that the driftwood reveals its ‘memory’ of the beach. Unique to her practise is the fact that each hook is used only once, then serving as a hanging bar for the work. 

The elemental nature of Cornwall seeps into Jess’ work. The sea comforts. It is a safe place and is used as subject, object and memory. Her current practice evolved from time spent living in London, where the distance to it seemed insurmountable. It is a conversation that connects Jess to the sea, creating links to friends and strangers who gift sticks from their coastal wanderings. 

Artwork

Sharkyarn, Small-spotted catshark egg case tendrils, 2022

Details

Shoreline at Portwrinkle , Driftwood, silk, cotton, wool., 2021

Details

The most colourful grey shingle beach in the world, Driftwood, wool., 2022

Details

Rame from Freathy, Driftwood and wool, 2020

Details

Dunraven Bay, Wales, Driftwood and wool, 2020, £300

Details Purchase

For sale

Sharkyarn weaving (i), Small-spotted catshark egg case tendrils, linen, silk., 2022

Details

Interested in
Arts vacancyCommissionCompetitionContemporary art fairExhibitionJournal/PublicationParticipatory projectResidency
Media
Textile
Other keywords
EnvironmentExperimentalLandscapeMemorySite-specific