Emma Jordan
"Incantation" 2024. 93x93cm Monoprint.
Curated by Jonathan Hillson
Exhibiting my work through LumiNoir Art at Espacio Gallery in Shoreditch was the first opportunity outside of UAL to show my work and participate with a group of artists both from my educational background, and from the wider community. This experience has taught me about how to apply for open-calls, presenting my work through an application, the dynamics of Private Views, networking in-person, and framing my work.
With this show we were able to drop our work off to be curated by a LuminNoir curator, which I felt was interesting, but given the amount of work that had been shown in this exhibition is completely understandable. There was a wide variety of mediums and themes throughout the show, and because of this, I had to have a lot of trust in the Gallery to make decisions on my work in how it engages with the space and other works. I feel it ended up very successful and during the PV, I had some great conversations with possible buyers through the gallerist, fellow artists, and community members.
"Incantation" 2024. 93x93cm Monoprint.
"Untitled" 2024, 90x60cm, Paper
Intersecting Lines was a group show among some of the MA Drawing students, where we collectively planned, applied for, curated, and installed our work in the Camberwell Arts SU Space.
This show was the first opportunity I had to use my digital skills in floorplanning and organizational communications to keep the group on track. Júlia Mazzoni and I curated the preliminary plans to include in the application to show our work. The group enjoyed our placements of their chosen pieces and so when we arrived for install, the day went smoothly, with great feedback from the SU space in regards to curation and preparedness.
The work that I had chosen to present in this show was a rework of the white paper roll that I had exhibited in the pop-up show in the fall. Using the sheet I had obsessively punched through previously, I decayed it further, and ripped it down into strips and reassembled it. I wanted the work to contain the original trauma to the surface, but to also have the material go through further transformation, one that is questionable as to whether it is moving forwards or backwards in its journey to care and its final form.
A conglomeration, a pile, a hoarding of form in space, not grounded, not floating, tied to another surface (wall), and reflecting all that comes near it. Does it have its own identity, or does it simply give back what is given to it? Does it hold it's own? Or does it hold space for what is projected onto it? Will it absorb or reject?
I decided that this form is its final resting place, and that to pull it apart further would be cruel to it even as a material and inanimate object.
"Untitled" 2024, 90x60cm, Paper
"Impromptu" was a show at Espacio Gallery in Shoreditch where I had the opportunity to curate with the other artists in a gallery outside of the University community, help run the install lead by Jonathan Hillson, lead de-install and invigilation, keyhold for the space, and eventually partake in a residency, creating work while I took care of the space throughout the length of the show.
My experience with this show was in more of a leadership role than previously. Before the show even began, I walked the University campus with Jonathan to scope out MA student work cross-pathway, and invite anyone interested to send work through a group chat to get a decent idea of how to go about organizing the show. We named it "Impromptu" because we managed to get this exhibition together within one week, as the gallery had an opening and offered us the space if we could pull it off. We put together an invigilation schedule, although I ended up being the sole Invigilator for most of the week.
As the first Invigilator I had some great conversations about the artists work with visitors and possible buyers. It definitely encouraged artists to come in and discuss their work which was nice to see. Additionally, I had a few people sit and watch me make work, talk about abstraction and their opinions on the ability of artists who do abstract verses realism, which was interesting.
Being the keyholder, first invigilator, and residency participant really gave me insight into how a smaller scale show would work, which played a massive role in what I had accomplished for the Copeland Cross-Pathway Show in May. I truly enjoyed having the opportunity to try some new roles and push myself to be quite social and dependable.
Landscape I, 150x180cm, Conté on Paper
Speed and Subconscious, 150x200cm, Conté on Academia Paper
Landscape II, 150x170cm, Conté on Paper
Running the same week as the "Impromptu" show (above), Studio 18 show at Millbank Tower hosted UAL's week of single-day MA exhibitions.
This experience for me was different than the last two opportunities, as the turn around time was extremely quick, everyone had a say in the curation and it got chaotic very quickly. Our group also had a few people who were not able to make it earlier in the week, so thematically speaking it was far more complicated to curate. In the end, our group did very well and it all came together just in time.
The most prominent thing I realized during the Millbank Show, was that teamwork means being on time, available, flexible and honest and that these are all necessary qualities to have a smooth curation and install process.
Looking back on the experience I had during Millbank, I feel like I've grown quite a lot since then, and although it was a very chaotic scene during the day, It was a taste of the skills and experiences that would come later. It was a good introductory experience to curating with others and what to do when things get confusing or tight.
Millbank Study, Bin Bag
Accordion Book and White Lines, 2024, Accordian book, and 8x11in Laser cut Plastic Perspex
"Where We're Calling From" at Copeland Gallery in May was a wild ride to say the least, and I enjoyed it all immensely.
The roles and experiences I had at Copeland
-My roles in this show began with participating in the planning committee and attending meetings to get a good idea of how to assist the organization of the show and the students.
-Since i'm a rep for drawing, I took on the responsibility of gathering drawings works, taking inventory that we all made it to Copeland. This was a bit of a challenge since some were still finishing their work the day of, but with constant communication throughout the day, we managed to get everyone accounted for by lunch time.
-The next role I took on was to assist the tutors in signing in all the MA students, and keeping track of who's work has arrived, who had discussions with Sarah Woodfine, and who was dropping off work on behalf of another student. Although it was incredibly confusing at times, I enjoy that the MA cohort now knows who I am and I feel much more confident in communicating with the 91 others through our group chat, email, and in-person. We often say Hi in the hallways, and I hope that by their reactions, that they recognize that we have accomplished something great as a group.
-The BA tutor who had the keys, had to leave midday, so I went with Geraint to find out about what to do as a keyholder. I took great pride in this role as my only other experience as a keyholder was at Espacio Gallery during the "Impromptu" show, and this show was going to have alot more movement.
"2448". 2024. 230x345cm. Plastic Sheets and Aluminum.
-After the first group of curating students and faculty went home, I stayed behind with Owen Herbert and Jonathan Hillson to assist Sarah Woodfine in further curation and organization. This was a very long day, but I enjoyed getting to learn as much as I could, and try my hand at making artistic decisions in a curatorial mind.
-On the final day of install I finished the floor-plan for the space (Below), where Júlia Mazzoni assisted me by printing them on campus to return to the private View. I am very proud of the document I created, even though there were a few mistakes on the first copy. I did a second batch because we
gave out all the copies we printed at the Private View. I enjoyed the opportunity to be risky with my view of the plan and draw it 3 Dimensionally. I got plenty of feedback on it, and it gave me a great boost of confidence that I can carry out my ideas even if it seems more complicated than necessary to others.
- Throughout the show I was a keyholder and lead invigilator. It all went pretty smoothly, however I did learn very quickly about how hard it is to communicate with students who are not on the same page. Due to trauma in my past, I find it very hard to be assertive, and to make decisions that could be felt/seen as not positive to others. I managed to follow through with holding my own space, and call many people throughout the weekend, and be politely firm to get things back on track and keep within the safety protocols. I am proud of this development of self, and feel it has positively impacted my ability to continue communicating with others beyond Copeland.
- When it came to the deinstall, It went as expected considering the previous complications with getting everyone together in a timely manner, and there were a few missing students who we ended up packaging and transporting work for. After getting all the work out of the building and transported back to campus, I stayed behind with Sarah, Mujeeb, and Jonathan to return the space back to its pre-show conditions. This was also a learning point for me because I hadn't seen a space so large have to be examined to the level it was, and got to hone in on my knowledge of repairing the space, to a higher extent.
Overall, I highly enjoyed this experience, learned about many different assets and skills that are great to have in the field, and gained insight on types of roles that I can consider in the future.
"Semillero" was the beginning of this year's Critical Reflection Salon Series for Camberwell's MA cohort. The first meeting was born out of chaos, however ended with a sense of community. The evening before the salon, we had a schedule issue, and the presenters were not prepared to attend, so last minute, I contacted an MA Photo student, Dennis (pictured in the black Jacket above and right) who stepped up and created a wonderful presentation in the early hours of the morning. Owen, who is an organizer for Copeland, also previously prepared a talk in case we ran into issues with participants. Both did a fantastic job of engaging with the group and opening artistic discussion.
My Role in "Semillero" was choosing the location and time slot, organizing a committee of students through group chat, hosting organization meetings on campus, bringing the coffee/biscuits, and Monitor, etc. as well as opening Copeland Gallery as a keyholder pre-show hours to host the salon. Thanks go out to Owen, Dennis, Meloche, and Ernesto for stepping up and helping with the organizing, presentations, and set up.
Upcoming events
Interview
I am currently finishing a written interview with Jonathan Hillson about my practice to be included in SAVANT Art Magazine. This opportunity will include discussions on the origins of my practice, current and integral themes, inspirations, and aims of my work.
Exhibition at Greatorex Street.
Thanks to the Copeland Gallery show "Where We're Calling From", I was able to meet and discuss my work with Mu Qing, a curator who specializes in Neuroaesthetics, and Slow Art. After a studio visit and plenty of correspondence, I will be participating in an exhibition this June where work will be shown in complete darkness, with the opportunity for viewers to discover the show with personal flashlights and light sources.
The following text was written by the Curator, Mu Qing:
We are thrilled to announce Heart Lab’s upcoming London exhibition, “Can You Afford to ‘Pay’ Attention?” Join us for an unforgettable exploration of the captivating intersection of Art and Neuroaesthetics.
Through a curated selection of artworks and interactive displays, we explore how attention shapes our perception and experience of art. This unconventional showcase promises to redefine the narrative of art by integrating neuroaesthetic facts from the laboratory into the artistic experience.
Date: 4th – 9th June, 1 – 7 pm
Private View: 5th June, 5 – 9 pm
Location: Greatorex Street, 10 Greatorex, E1 5NF, London
Curator: Mu Qing
Artists:
Cas Campbell
Hou Yuxuan
Amy Hui Li
Emma Jordan
Rosie Mullan
Katie Pratt
Issy Wilson
Media partner: Chloe Chia Studio
In-Between
Júlia Mazzoni has ben leading a group of MA Drawing students through a funding open-call at Peckham Levels to exhibit our work that also corresponds to her research in the expansion and possibilities of limits, hoping the show would evoke In-between spaces of our existence. Stillness and movement, human and nature, public and private, reality and fiction, etc. We were not selected for the funding opportunity, however are able to book a space in the coming weeks to exhibit on our own in the space.
MA Degree Show
The first week of July the MA Cohort will be hosting the Summer Show on Campus at Camberwell College.
So far for this show I have started to try and put together a committee by the recommendation of Jonathan Hillson, to discuss titles, posters, and queries that we should be thinking of for when we can begin to plan with staff.
For my Summer Show Proposal Click Here
Upcoming in the days following the UAL MA degree show, and again in early Autumn, LumiNoir Art will be hosting another Exhibition at Espacio Gallery in Shoreditch. I am excited to show at this location again, as it is a great space and location, and has a strong sense of community. I am comfortable showing here and now that I am very familiar with the space, I know what the logistical limitations are when initiating the presentation of work.