Artist Statement

Through her art, Jenny Marshall explores the reciprocal relationship between the environment and humankind, as they make and mark each other, and the sense of identity, belonging and safety this relationship inspires. In paintings and wooden fine art, she is interested in stimulating her viewer’s emotional imagination, evoking a sense of connection and security through gestural form, dramatic light and layered texture. Her connection to the environment is further deepened through her use of natural and reclaimed materials, especially wood:
“From childhood, I have been fascinated with wood: its form, beauty and structure; what it can do; and how it has been utilized through time. I hold a deep respect for this living thing, and the vital role it holds in our eco-system and in human history. Wood in all its forms is central to my work as a matter of course, from painting to sculpture and everything in between. From old wood comes new art.
As I treat and prepare the wood I reclaim, I get a feel for the adventure we will go on together. Reclaimed wood is a unique and dynamic substrate, as the grain, natural aging and weathering are enhanced by manmade marks and memories. The wood itself is an active collaborator in the process!
My painting is highly textured and layered, and plays with deep contrasts of vibrant light; qualities only enhanced by my woody medium. I explore this further in 3D work, celebrating the tactility and warmth of wood. Working this way, I feel a sense of security in belonging to the natural world, and I reflect this feeling back into my work.”
Jenny lives in Kegworth where she has her studio and workshop. She works as a sustainable artist, reclaiming wood, filtering rain water and upcycling materials and tools whenever possible and appropriate.