Bingley artist, Jochen Gren, works in two main art media: embroidery and textiles; and abstract painting, using acrylics on canvas and glass.
Born in 1957 in Bradford, Jochen attended a local school then studied full-time at Bradford School of Art, 1975-9, leading to a Diploma in Art & Design (3D Media), with a specialism in sculpture.
After he graduated, as art related employment opportunities were scarce, Jochen entered the fire service and eventually become a Fire Control Officer at the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue HQ. However, in 1986 he had a serious road accident, with resultant physical injuries that led him to retire from the fire service two years later.
After he retired from the fire service, Jochen returned to his first and former interest in art and worked full-time as a freelance jewellery and silversmith artist. He also becoming increasingly interested in textile art, particularly embroidery, which is now one of his main creative specialisms.
He is drawn to the colours and tactile nature of textiles, and enjoys experimenting with materials that come his way:
Chance plays a huge part in how the embroidery develops. I love this ‘dance’ with the variety of colours. Sometimes I’ll grab groups of threads and build-up areas with these groups. It’s like dancing with a partner who understands your moves but loves to take chances!
You follow the direction taken, and sometimes you may doubt where you are going; you may think sometimes ‘these are the wrong colours to use’. But you just follow your instincts, and often when you put them together it can look so right.
‘A Spine of Spirals’, tapestry by Jochen Gren
The local painter, Jane Fielder, recently encouraged Jochen to start painting, which has taken him in a new creative direction. Injuries suffered to his hands in the road accident has led to difficulties holding brushes for sustained periods, but Jochen has found a way to use acrylics to create abstract designs, often by using finger painting directly onto the chosen surface.
‘Firestorm’ by Jochen Gren
‘Autumn’ painting by Jochen Gren
Jochen’s work has been shown at the Bradford Biennale, and more recently at the Keighley Creative Gallery, and at the Trapezium Art Gallery in Bradford.
Contact: via Instagram at @jochen_gren