Jeanette Barnes | Urban Journeys

About

"Through drawings and prints my practise engages with the constant development within the urban landscape. I produce large compressed charcoal drawings, seeking to explore the relationships between the built environment and those who inhabit it. Sometimes figures are of central importance or of implied presence- I like to use their movement as a metaphor for energy within the city and passage of time. Each drawing is a history of experiences, the layering of responses. Whether at home or abroad I always feel as though I am on an urban journey of some kind, exploring cities and sights as I draw. When working in London there is a sense of familiarity, of experience, as much as this informs the work sometimes it must be jolted, re-energised with use of a vibrant plan. Works in other locations are more meticulously organised with a variety of pencil drawings capturing specific information for use back in the studio. From both sources the freedom to improvise has its root in observed reality."  Jeanette Barnes, 2019

About Jeanette Barnes
Jeanette Barnes studied Fine Art at Liverpool Polytechnic in the early 1980’s. Originally from a small Lancashire mill town Barnes became fascinated by the architecture, people and energy of the city and this has been her subject ever since. 
She attained a Post-Graduate in painting at the Royal Academy Schools and was then awarded a Henry Moore scholarship to study at the Royal College of Art for an MA in printmaking. Whilst continuing with her own practice and maintaining a studio in East London, since graduating she has taught drawing on the Royal Academy of Arts Outreach programme and is also a drawing and printmaking tutor at the Royal Drawing School.