artist statement + CV

Artist statement

Photography: Laura Zotova

I’m Jo (or jdwoof), a self-taught visual artist living and working in Newham, East London.

I’m compelled to explore ways to connect to myself, to other humans and to my environment – to better understand my experiences, support myself in challenging times, and work out how I can contribute. I’ve discovered that mark-making – whether I’m out and about or in bed – helps me explore my feelings and thoughts with curiosity and with less shame. It’s become my way of sharing who I am when finding the right words feels hard. I also have a movement practice, which helps with nervous system regulation and feeling expansive, playful and exploratory.

I work across drawing, painting and various found materials. I’m especially drawn to creatures – real and imagined – that help me explore and understand different parts of myself. Looking at those parts as animals helps me be kinder to myself.

Accessibility is central to my practice – not just physical access, but making art-making truly available to everyone. I love to use found materials and things that would otherwise be thrown away, because I think there is enough ‘stuff’ out there for us to be inspired by and use without new things needing to be made. This also means art-making can be affordable and materials are within reach. I’m interested in practices that don’t require sitting at a desk or being in a studio – often making art in bed, on the train or leaning against a tree. There is so much opportunity and possibility if we can notice it – in our own bodies, in conversations, in rubbish we find – so my practice is often helping myself be in the state where I can do that noticing.

Working with others is an important part of my practice. I work with individuals through coaching and mentoring, and I run workshops with both children and adults. I love helping others discover the benefits of making and the freedom of exploring without ‘shoulds’ about what art should look or feel like.

I’m also a Forest School Leader which has deepened my connection to the living world and given me frameworks for thinking about circular systems and reciprocal relationships with nature.

CV

Education and Training:

  • MA in Gender Studies, Central European University, Budapest. Graduated 2016
  • BSc in Psychology, Swansea University + University of Mannheim. Graduated 2014 (2:1)

  • Permaculture Design Training Week, 2026
  • Forest School Leader Level 3 Training, 2025
  • Level 3 Forest School First Aid and Level 3 Pediatric First Aid, 2025
  • Body Informed Leadership Practitioner Programme, 2023
  • Coaching for Leadership: Psychodynamic Approaches, Tavistock Institute, 2022

Exhibitions:
Solo exhibitions

Joint exhibitions:

Group exhibitions:

  • Tower Gallery, summer exhibition, 2025
  • Tower Gallery, ‘black and white’, 2025
  • Leytonstone Arts Trail, July 2024
  • Rosetta Arts, ‘LGBTQ+ History Month’, 2024
  • West Reservoir Centre, ‘art at the res’ 2024
  • Spongleheim Gallery for outsider art, 2022

Interviews + Podcasts

Publications

  • Lip Service quarterly zine from the Vagina Museum, 2026
  • Would Like to Meet – Issue 2 – community building zine from She Her They Them, 2025

Awards, Grants, and Residencies:

Residencies

Upcoming

  • Samphire Hoe Solstice Celebration with the Bee Friendly Trust, June 2026
  • Neighbourhood Store, Shoreham-by-Sea, June 2026

Past

  • TRACES festival, Tower Hamlets Cemetery, London, July 2025
  • Samphire Hoe Solstice Celebration with the Bee Friendly Trust, June 2025
  • Neighbourhood Store, Shoreham-by-Sea, July 2024
  • Ocracoke Art Adventure, North Carolina, January 2023
  • Applecart Arts, October 2022 – July 2023
  • Stanley Road Store for Brighton Open Studios, May 2023
  • Summer Camp Artist in Residence, Hawarden Estate, North Wales, 2022
  • Glen Dye, Scotland, May 2022

Professional Experience

  • Artist and Workshop Facilitator — self-employed, 2020–present
    Running accessible art workshops for children and adults, drawing on found and foraged materials, nature connection, and creature-led making. Current programmes include Crafty Creature Club (a community art programme funded by Culture Within Newham) and ART HELPS ME (a pay-what-you-can workshop series launching at Old Manor Park Library, March 2026). Also undertaking live illustration commissions and community art projects.
  • Artist Mentor — Entelechy Arts, September 2023–present
    Working alongside the Associate Director as a peer mentor
  • Forest School Assistant, ongoing since September 2024.
  • Mentor and Coach — self-employed, 2020–present
    Working 1:1 with individuals through coaching and mentoring, drawing on psychodynamic, somatic, and nature-based approaches.
  • Group Facilitator — RISE Beyond, 2018–present
    Facilitating group sessions supporting people through personal development, nature connection, and creative practice.