Jerwood Art Fund Makers Open 8

Five new commissions by early-career artists and makers Anna Berry, Cecilia Charlton, Jahday Ford, Vicky Higginson and Francisca Onumah & Helena Russell, brought about through the biennial Jerwood Art Fund Makers Open (formerly Jerwood Makers Open).

Showcasing a broad range of material disciplines, including glass, textiles, digital modelling, silversmithing and sculptural installation, the five commissions provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting new work being produced by UK-based artists and makers. Although working across a variety of mediums and processes, the makers explore some common themes across their works such as the relationship between digital technology and traditional techniques, the potential of repetition in making, the power of tools, and the rich history of their material practices. The exhibition allows research, concepts and experimentation to shine alongside the extraordinary craftmanship of the objects created by the selected artists and makers.

The artists were selected from over 500 applications in response to a UK-wide call for entries for self-directed proposals from artists and makers who are between 1 and 10 years of establishing their practice. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, for this edition the awardees receive an increased award of £10,000 each plus curatorial and production support from the Jerwood Arts team to enable the making of new work over an extended 12-month period.

Selectors: Dame Magdalene Odundo, potter; Yinka Ilori, artist and designer; Junko Mori, artist, maker in metal; Christine Rew. Art Gallery and Museums Manager at Aberdeen Art Gallery and Harriet Cooper, Head of Visual Arts at Jerwood Arts.

Jerwood Makers Open was established in 2010 to recognise and promote the significance of making practice and process within contemporary visual arts. It supports exceptional UK-based artist and makers to develop their creative ideas independently, enabling them to experiment, learn and take risks with substantial curatorial support. This eighth edition launches a new collaboration with Art Fund and a partnership with Aberdeen Art Gallery, who host a dedicated curatorial role to support the project. It will tour to Newlyn Art Gallery in summer 2022 before travelling to Aberdeen Art Gallery in autumn 2022.

Funding for the eighth edition included support for an early-career curator, Svetlana Panova, to work with the lead partner and Jerwood Arts as curatorial project manager across the programme, supporting development of expertise in craft and applied arts.