In Conversation With: Jemma Powell
Cricket Fine Art, in partnership with Thyme, is pleased to present a new exhibition of work by British artist Jemma Powell, on view in the Tithe Barn in collaboration with Tusk, the international conservation charity, from 10th November to 7th January 2024. This is the artist’s third solo show in the UK with proceeds from the sale of works donated to Tusk.
The exhibition documents Jemma’s recent trip to Kenya as an ambassador for Tusk. The title, The Golden Thread, is inspired by Caryn Hibbert’s (founder and creative director of Thyme), observations and writing on the migratory birdlife in the Water Meadow at Thyme, which travel between sub-Sahara Africa and the meadows here at Thyme, making vital connections between continents. Jemma has developed this theme and shines a light on conservation, seen through the lens of an artist, as she observes the golden thread between the people, the wildlife and the nature that surround them.
You have worked across the creative industry throughout your career, when did your journey with painting begin?
I grew up around painting as my mother is a painter. As early as I can remember I was wildly scribbling down pictures or painting the holiday views with my Mum and Dad (a designer) when we travelled. but I started doing it professionally when I myself became a Mother and wanted to work from home. Being an actress was taking me away from my children.
During your recent trip to Kenya, can you tell us about the key moments that provided the inspiration for your exhibitions body of work?
I felt compelled to create a collection of paintings inspired by the conservation work being done by Tusk. It was exciting to hear the rangers speak at the Tusk awards last year and I realised I wanted to try to capture in paint and pictures, the beauty and the stories of the work being carried out.
You recently ran a marathon in Kenya to raise money for Tusk, tell us about where and when your passion for conservations began and your subsequent ambassadorship for Tusk?
I met Charlie Mayhew the CEO of Tusk about 10 years ago and was fascinated by the work the charity was doing and how they were achieving their goals. I fell in love with the way Tusk involves local communities to educate and protect their wildlife. I ran the Lewa marathon in Kenya this year and whilst I was there I was able to visit many of the schools and see the conservation projects - it was just incredible and I felt so lucky to have been honoured with the role of a Tusk ambassador.
Can you tell us about Tusk's work that you saw in action while you were in Kenya?
When I was visiting the turtle project in Lamu I was lucky enough to meet Odde and his family who live next to the beach in their tribe . Odde was once a poacher but thanks to Tusk’s education programmes he was able to get involved in helping the turtles - and he now paroles the beach at night making sure the turtle nests are secure and that any hatching turtles make it down to the sea.
You are part of the Art for Charity Collective (ACC), a platform that promotes emerging and established artists while supporting and raising awareness for charities. Can you tell us about your involvement with ACC?
Lucy Kent asked me to be an ambassador during lockdown - it felt so good to be part of an initiative raising money for charity and at the same time be part of a community of artists, all having their own struggles during that tricky time. Lucy created a space for us to be creative but also be supported by one another- it was really wonderful and much needed at that time.
What is your most treasured piece of art in your own home?
My mother did a painting of me doing a painting when I was 11 years old at our house in Putney where I grew up. I remember her painting me at that moment- no clue that one day I would be in her shoes and have my own children… now my eldest Connie is 11, this painting feels particularly treasured and poignant in my own quest to try to be an accomplished painter.
