Jane Shepherdson: Bamboo garden

About the artist

Jane Shepherdson turned to printmaking and abstract painting following a long career in fashion, seeking a creative outlet that allowed for more personal experimentation. Her practice is driven by the instinctive nature of the printmaking process, where she balances technical learning with a desire to push against established boundaries. She is particularly drawn to the element of surprise; for Shepherd, technical "mistakes" are often the most valuable part of the work, leading to unexpected visual outcomes.

Her approach involves a gradual movement away from literal representation toward abstraction. This is evident in pieces such as Bamboo Garden, which originated from a series of gel prints. Each iteration became increasingly abstract, stripping back the initial inspiration until only the essential character of the subject remained.

By allowing the process to dictate the final image, Shepherd ensures that her work retains a sense of spontaneity. She has previously exhibited her work at The Tower Gallery in Barking, London, where she continues to explore the interplay between structured technique and the happy accidents found within the studio.