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Jessie Davies is an artist whose work highlights important yet fragile wetland and woodland environments that play a vital role in our wider ecosystems. Living with multiple disabilities, including paraplegia and autism, Davies’ access to, and view of, the rural environment result in an acute observation of small, overlooked objects which nestle in the landscape. Immersing herself amongst the foliage of these terrains, she creates textural paintings and ceramics, often incorporating materials found in these habitats.

website: jessiedaviesart.co.uk
instagram: @jessie_davies_art

forest: regrowth from fire, 2024

Forest: regrowth from fire was inspired by several visits to an area of woodland in Wakefield which was previously affected by wildfire. Davies documented unique tree barks, some showing charring from the fire, whilst others are covered with fresh growth, moss, and lichen. Each ceramic piece was wheel-thrown by the artist and then shaped through carving, forming, and layering with various clays, including wild clay, mine ochre, oxides, and slips. The pieces were then finished with glazes that use natural materials found in the area, like leaves, charcoal, and twigs.

[Image description: a number of ceramic pieces arranged almost like a forest. There are subtle tones from the ochres used in some of the glazes that the artist has lit with a spotlight to create interesting shadows from a low viewpoint.]

woodland floor: returning, 2024

In Woodland floor: returning, Davies explores subtle changes in a woodland stream during her site visits. Unable to walk or stand, she focuses on details that might go unnoticed from a standing perspective. Throughout her work, Davies explores the complexity and intensity of her autistic experience of nature.

[Image description: a section of a highly textured painting featuring bold brush strokes in shades of blues tipped with white, against a background of earthy pinks and browns. The colours and movement resembles thrashing foaming waves.]