Jo Lewis is our Local Artist of the Month for November. She has lived in Camberwell since 1997. (2 children, husband, andy- architect) Jo did her first degree in art history in Edinburgh, she then went on to do a painting degree at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Valence, France. Back in London Jo was lucky enough to attend Maggi Hambling's weekly class at Morley College which included paintings trips to Suffolk and the Isle of Wight.
Her art work has developed from her interest in exploring the interaction of paper, paint and water as they come together in different natural locations. Jo works mainly outside; by rivers, the sea or lakes, and uses the tides, flow and movement of the water to create the work. Each place records the water differently, and with her palette of inks and watercolours Jo creates a series of site-specific works all produced within the same time period. Recently she has been working in a variety of locations along the river Thames in London and in France.
The work is selected, organised and displayed in her local studio. She was recently invited by Hermes UK to do a window commission for their shops in London and Manchester. This work included her paintings as well as installations using tracing and painted tissue paper.
Jo is also a freelance lecturer and tutor, working at the National Gallery and Pumphouse Gallery.
Why water?
Life affirming stuff- not in our control, part of the bigger picture. The movement and flow of the water over the paper as it meets the paint leaves a unique trace. No two waves give the same result: if only seconds apart, but in that new moment of tide, weather, wind and time of day, the paper records a new trace.
What is your favourite season?
Summer- I work a lot outside, and it helps if the sun shines, mainly to dry the paper.
What is your favourite seasoning?
Something fresh, green and finely chopped
Morning or Evening?
Morning definitely
What is your favourite restaurant in SE London?
Johnny's Café on Coldharbour Lane
Guardian or Times?
Guardian
Cryptic or Concise?
Cryptic every time
Poached or Boiled?
Can I say omelette?
Where is the best place you have ever been on holiday?
Favourite memories at the moment are of sunny days along the river Agout in France.
What makes you happy?
Too many things to mention but working and watching my children play come to mind
Lawn or Patio?
Lawn please
Who would you like to make a speech at your funeral?
Help, I was hoping someone else could organise that.
Are your dreams in colour or black and white?
I'd love to say I know, I think colour because I hope I'd notice if they weren't.
Who do you think is the best artist that ever lived?
That's a hard one, it changes from week to week, at the moment I'm loving Richard Tuttle's work and Turner is definitely up there. The recent Susan Derges show at Purdy Hicks gallery I also loved.
Favourite colour?
Water
