inspired by the discarded
Jo also expresses her own creativity through her work, producing unique pieces of art which can be viewed at her studio. Sometimes, these prove so popular that Jo produces limited edition multiples. If you have an idea or concept that you'd like to see developed, Jo will also work with you to interpret and realise your vision.
This piece, made of found objects, is named after one of the most common Italian idioms, che palle! Literally, ‘what balls’ (it doesn’t correspond to the English exclamation ‘bollocks’ (nonsense), rather, it means, ‘what a pain’ or ‘that sucks.’ There are so many reasons to exclaim che palle, not least the destruction being caused by our over-consumption of avocados.
This art work celebrates Sheila Corrigan, who was born in 1928, and who was a talented tap and musical comedy dancer, acrobat and contortionist. Her family had a postcard of her in this amazing pose and asked me if I could do anything with it. I was thrilled as I love making works like this, the possibilities are endless. I considered putting the image on a tray or a table top, then I came across a lovely old frame I’d picked up in a charity shop in Cornwall, with a depth that meant I could play with reflection and shadow to give it movement.
“Hypernormalized” refers to a post-truth state in which lies and delusion are so deeply established they become normal (popularized by the 2016 Adam Curtis film, Hypernormalisation).
“Hypernormalized” refers to a post-truth state in which lies and delusion are so deeply established they become normal (popularized by the 2016 Adam Curtis film, Hypernormalisation).
This is a reflective installation that reimagines the handmade notices aimed at non white immigrants during the 1960s and 70s. This work opens up the conversation around what prejudice looked like then and what it looks like now. A different London back then, witnessed immigrants often from the West Indies being confronted by hostile signs in the windows of boarding houses, which said: "Rooms to let: No dogs, no coloureds". This meant that many were forced to rent homes in the most rundown areas. The work echoes those discriminatory windows, but in contrast, states “Blacks, dogs, Irish, Jews, LGBTQIA, neurodiverse, refugees, all welcome.”
This is a bush that wanted to be a tree in my neighbour’s garden. Named Daphne after the Greek tree spirit.
We think of mirrors as tools for reflecting ourselves. But mirrors are wonderful reflectors of light, making rooms bigger, brighter and more beautiful. Jo has worked with mirrors for many years, and indeed has worked as a eglomise gilder for some of the country's leading glass decorators. There's nothing Jo can't do with a mirrored surface.
Jo's own designs range from the soft romance of draped lace and chiffon to the witty and contemporary Bowie flash mirrors, which, if you line up your own face just right, reincarnate you, just for a minute or two, as Ziggy Stardust. Jo also contributed an art installation, Hypernormalised to the 2017 London Design Festival, which joined the Brixton Design Trail on Brixton's iconic arches, right also from vibrant new space, Pop Brixton.
Jo often breathes new life into old mirrors, working with their flaws and their marks of wear to make signs of age into an integral part of a new, yet sympathetic, look, feel and function.
Splashbacks... Lovely. Beautiful, gleaming aluminium or copper. Or whatever you want. What's not to like? Maybe, the splashes? At the back? Jo's designs, netched into the surface, add originality and style to your bathroom or kitchen. But also, practicality. All those splashes? All those fingermarks? All that cleaning? Think monthly cleaning instead of daily. And think: "I actually love my splashback." Go on.
Jo specialises in sourcing vintage chairs of superlative and classic design, restoring and embellishing them with her netched surface designs. Bauhaus stacking chairs got a cool and sophisticated Jo Gibbs makeover for sale at Anthropologie. Old school chairs were transformed into bright and ornate little thrones with a Mexican vibe for use in branches of the restaurant chain, Wahaca. Call Jo to inquire about chairs for sale at her studio. She also accepts private commissions.
Jo likes nothing more than to be confronted with a delicious horizontal canvas, otherwise known as a table, desk or worktop. Sometimes, a piece demands that only the top is embellished, like a built-in tablecloth, one that can be varnished or otherwise treated to accommodate the level of wear and tear that the surface is likely to have to withstand. Sometimes, a very special piece needs and deserves a holistic approach, top, sides, legs and shelves designed into a completely new and original work of art and craft.
A simple and fairly minimalist space can be enhanced by treating doors almost as framed artworks on the wall, embellished and coloured, textured and offering contrast. Likewise, with furniture. A simple piece, decorated with netching on doors or drawer-fronts can serve both to emphasise and enliven an essential frame and architectural structure. Practicality is not compromised, but individuality, originality and flair is added. Jo has provided customised vintage and classic doors for commercial premises and private homes.
We tend only to think about the roof of our home when it lets us down, and starts leaking. At which point, we start stripping away our beautiful, old slates, replacing them with tiles of greater technological efficiency. But, Jo honours the beauty of a well-weathered slate, by netching it with lace - or whatever you want - and creating an object of unique beauty.
Jo Gibbs Artist ©
