Jessica Swift is an emerging fine artist with a particular interest in sculpture, painting, photography, as well as performance and installation art. She was born and raised in Bradford and studied Fine Art at Leeds Arts University, graduating in 2021. Although essentially a multi-media artist, Jessica has said of her work:
I see myself as a sculptor, first and foremost, even when I make non-clay pieces. When I paint, I love working with textures and layers, like in ‘The Three of Us’ (2022) where the paint layers add a sculpture-like feeling to the painting.
‘The Three of Us’.
By May 2024, Jessica’s work had already been exhibited at a range of group shows and four solo exhibitions in Bradford and Leeds, including the solo show, ‘My Life Since University’ at The Apothecary Gallery, Thornton, Bradford in 2024. Other exhibition venues have included the Halifax Open Gallery; The Old Red Bus Station, Leeds; Trapezium Gallery, Bradford; South Square Arts Centre, Thornton; and at Left Bank in Leeds.
Sculptures: Possession Series
In addition to her own artwork, Jessica is employed as the Marketing Officer for the Kala Sangam Arts Group in Bradford, and a part-time pottery and painting tutor for the Young Masters Visual Art School, Shipley. Jessica has also facilitated and led workshops for local schools, e.g. Beckfoot Thornton, and in residential care settings on behalf of community arts centres, e.g. South Square Arts Centre.
Jessica leads a group of young students in a painting workshop.
Jessica has also built her own business, Happy Home Studio, selling her minimalist wall decor and home artworks online and in retail outlets in the region.
Her work and the inspiration for it has been the subject of feature articles in a number of online and printed publications, e.g. Erato: Literature, Art & Culture
Gradual Dusk. Mixed Media Painting.
Harmony in Contrast