I was born in Barrow-in-Furness and have lived on Walney Island all my life, except for a short period when I lived in London in the 60’s. I graduate this year with a B.A. (hons) Surface Pattern. Previous to this I have worked in textiles from about the age of five. Worked on the felt carpet for Mary Burkett O.B.E. in 2000 and in 2002 Jenny Cowern and myself were to organise the making of the Barrow Felt Carpet, this was made at the Dock Museum in Barrow in-Furness. I have worked in many crafts, and have met many wonderful textile artists along the way, and hopefully I will meet many more.
My work has been influenced by, our beautiful Walney Island, and South Lakeland.
I am interested in the discarded, in weak and strong elements of cloth itself. I like to manipulate cloth, as they do in Shibori.
Artists I admire are Matisse, Kandinsky, Andy Goldsworthy, Anthony Gormley, Mary Feddon and Eva Hesse.
Architecture can also be a huge inspiration for my work, I relate to the work of Santiago Calatrava considered to be a romantic, almost spiritual architect.
Jennifer Shepherd
Tel. 01229 473499
E-mail jennishepherd2@aol.com