Jo Ball is an artist & gardener based in Bristol, UK.
Through drawing, installation and participatory projects she makes work that considers aspects of place, nature and how humans connect to their surroundings and eachother. A deep curiosity for making and materials is at the root of her approach.
Since studying Tapestry at Edinburgh College of Art followed by an MFA Studio Arts in Montreal, she has been the recipient of several residencies and awards. Her work has also been included in numerous exhibitions and is held in private and public collections within Canada and Europe.
CV
Lives and works in Bristol. UK
COMMISSIONS
2020-22 Associate Artist at Grizedale Arts working on The Crake Valley Recipe Project.
2020 Magic Wand Art Kit commission for Studio Meraki, InBristol Studios, Bristol.
2017 Brief Patches of Blue Sky. OSR Projects, West Coker, Somerset.
2017 Shortlisted for the Jerwood Makers 2017
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2012 In the Course of Arrangement Hartington Road, London
2011 A star surrounded by shapes DeptfordX Festival, London
Soft Geometry Woodmill Project Space, London
2010 Kit of Parts Kingston University Library, London
2009 Kit of Parts Mid Pennine Gallery, Burnley, England
2008 Twilight Point (MFA Show) Parisian Laundry, Montreal, Canada
2006 Floating Spaces Bourget Gallery, Montreal, Canada
2004 Flügel The Cameo, Edinburgh, Scotland
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2017 Drawn Open, RWA, Bristol
2016 Ropewalkers, OSR Project Space, West Coker, Somerset
2013 Florence Trust Summer Show, London / Photo & Print Open Salon, Charlie Dutton Gallery, London /
Winter Open, The Florence Trust, London / Rushing to Paradise, The Royal Standard, Liverpool
2012 InsideOUT, Atlantic Centre for the Arts, Florida
2011 Studio Artists Group Show, The Woodmill, London
2008 Bits and Pieces, The Banff Centre, Alberta, Canada
2007 +scopes, La Vitrine, St-Jean-Port-Joli, Quebec / Sur Place, Gerard-Ouellet, St-Jean-Port-Joli, Quebec
Faire comme si tout allait bien, Skol, Montreal, Canada
2006 Hidden Connections, Rotor 1, Göteborg, Sweden / Small Talk, OCAD Galleries, Toronto (& tour venues)
2005 Nexus, Generator, Dundee, Scotland
2004 Magazine, Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, Scotland / The Art of Travel, Stroud House Gallery, Stroud, England
Aurora Projects, 20 Thirlestane Road, Edinburgh, Scotland
RESIDENCIES
2021 Two weeks The Garage, Bristol, UK
2017 Transition 2017 Newlyn Gallery, Cornwall, UK
2017 Mothership Residency Powerstock Nature Reserve, Dorset, UK
2013 Self-directed Residency Monet’s Garden, Giverney, France
2012-2013 Florence Trust Residency The Florence Trust, London, UK
2012 Residency w’ Joanne Greenbaum Atlantic Center for the Arts, Florida, USA
2009-2010 Artist-in-Residence AA2A Kingston University, London, UK
2008 New Works: Materials & Process The Banff Centre, Alberta, Canada
2007 Summer Residency EstNordEst, Quebec, Canada
GRANTS & AWARDS
2021 DYCP Arts Council grant for 9 months studio research & development
2016 Shortlisted for the Jerwood Makers 2017
2015 Visual Arts South West Mentoring Scheme (with Blair Todd, Newlyn Gallery)
2009 Oppenheim-John Downes Memorial Trust
2005-07 Commonwealth Scholarship. MFA Studio Arts, Concordia University, Montreal
2004 Scottish Arts Council Assistance Grant for production of new work
2003 Scottish Arts Council Professional Development Award
OTHER PROJECTS
2021 The Exchange New peer-led initiative at Spike Island Associates.
2011-2013 Hartington Road Gallery in own home in Stockwell, South London.
2011 Cardboard Folly Invited artist for “The Fold” by Emily Speed.
2010 Moment Flag Flying for one day in Battersea Park, London.
2007 String Thing 8 hour action in Metro station, Montreal.
2004 Electric Fruit Cambo Gardens, Fife (& Matt Ayling).
EDUCATION
2016 Year in Screenprint Spike Island Print Studio, Bristol
Permaculture Design Course Easton Community Centre, Bristol, UK
2013 RHS Level 2 in Horticulture Capel Manor College, London
2008 MFA Studio Arts (Fibres) Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
2002 BA Hons Fine Art (Tapestry) Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland, UK