Jen Oldknow is an award-winning contemporary British abstract painter. Through the medium of paint, she explores the intangible dimensions of human experience, transforming these inner landscapes into an evocative visual language of vibrant colour and bold gestural marks.

B. 1975, Lincolnshire, UK 2010, Diploma in Painting and Drawing, London Art College Studio in Derbyshire, UK

‍Something Intangible, Something Shared’; Jen Oldknow in conversation with A’Dora Phillips, for the Vision and Art Project - read the full interview here

ARTIST STATEMENT

“Dedicated to painting as a means of self expression, I work every day in my studio. Diagnosed with macular degeneration in my twenties, which should perhaps be devastating to a visual artist, only serves to make me a stronger artist. I’m more clearly focused on my sources and methods of expression as I transfer my attention from the exterior world to the interior existence of human life.

I create from a place of personal connection and experience, seeking to visualising the intangible; explorations of the inner landscape of human experience, feelings, and emotions expressed in a language of colour and intuitive gesture marks. I continually ask questions of both myself and the materials I use, in response to issues that cannot necessarily be seen, yet are shared by all. My aim is not to offer an explicit answer, but to entice the viewer I into conversation, to glimpse the shared world beyond themselves, with a meaning deeper than words.”

EDUCATION

• 2010, Diploma in Drawing & Painting, London Art College

COLLECTIONS

• American Macular Degeneration Society, USA

• The Vision & Art Project, Cincinnati, USA

• The Sketchbooks Project, New York, USA

• The Women's Art Library, Goldsmiths University, UK

• Clocktower Group, London, UK

• Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, UK

• MJS Group, London, UK

• Private collections in the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, and the Middle East

AWARDS

• 2019 First Prize, National Trust Art Prize, UK

• 2016 Shortlisted, Stwidio Maelor Works on Paper Prize, UK

• 2016 Shortlisted, FOA Autumn Expo Prize, USA

• 2015 Highly Commended, Royal Birmingham Society of Artists Open, UK

• 2015 Highly Commended (two paintings), Castie Park Arts Centre, UK

• 2014 Chairman's Award, Castle Park Arts Centre, UK

• 2013 Arts Council Prize, UK

• 2012 NEWA Liverpool Award

EXHIBITIONS

• Mall Galleries, London, UK Menier Gallery, London, UK

• Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, UK

• Nottingham Contemporary, Nottingham, UK

• Castle Park Arts Centre, Cheshire, UK

• The Hopton Hall Month of Art, Derbyshire, UK

• Moss Gallery, Norway Stwidio Maelor, Wales, UK

• A Brush with the Broads Plein Air Festival, UK

• Wirksworth Arts Festival, Derbyshire, UK

• Harley Gallery, Nottinghamshire, UK

• The Old Lock Up Gallery, Derbyshire, UK

• Trygve Lie Gallery, New York, USA

• Porthmeor Studios, St Ives, Cornwall, UK

• The Derbyshire Open Exhibition, UK CCD, Orlando, FL, USA

• Vibe Galley, London, UK

• William H. Miller Fine Art, Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

• Strathnairn Arts, Canberra, AUS

• The Little Gallery, Derbyshire, UK

• Studio 54, Derbyshire, UK

• Exhale United Gallery, LA, USA

• Out Ot The Blue Gallery, Edinburgh, UK

• Muse Gallery, Derbyshire, UK

• Derbyshire Open Arts, UK

• Belper Open Studios, Derbyshire, UK

• The Ashbourne Open, Derbyshire, UK

• Belper Arts Trail, Derbyshire, UK

• White Peakhouse Gallery, Derbyshire, UK

• Wye Gallery, Derbyshire, UK

• Buxton Museum and Art Gallery, UK

• The Green Man Gallery, Derbyshire, UK

PUBLICATIONS & MEDIA

• 2015 & 2018 Interview, Paint magazine

• 2017 The FOA Winter Publication, USA

• 2016 Featured collection, Saatchi Art, USA

• 2016 Interview, The Vision & Art Project, USA

• 2016 Interview, Fine Art' magazine, UK

• 2015 Featured artist, Artists & Illustrators, UK

• 2015 Featured artist, 'The Artist' magazine, UK

• 2015 Interview, Artsbeat magazine, UK

• 2014 101 Creative Artworks, Pandora