Jo Davies has worked broadly within illustration since the early 80’s recently combining interest in the processes underpinning the creating of imagery with continued image making and illustration.
Throughout her career she has used objective drawing as a springboard for ideas and created images that have responded to professional challenges across all areas of illustration within a broad range of commercial contexts. Following her MA at Kingston University in 1997 she sought specifically to cultivate interests in narrative and created books as an author -illustrator before taking a career break for motherhood in 2003.She was subsequently invited to the Bologna International Books fair to join a panel advising on how to achieve success in this highly competitive arena and had work included in juried shows and exhibitions in the UK and abroad. Following a grant funded commission for Portsmouth Hospitals Trust she is now instigator of a University supported project to explore the value of design and illustration in communicating complex clinical information to children with diabetes.
Jo is interested in retaining a sense of energy and tactility within her own imagery and is keen to explore the use of pattern as a device for compositional structure in images which use drawing with a distinctive individual identity alongside narrative content. She has been selected for many international awards and exhibitions and is currently drawing major clients of illustration to feature in her co-authored book and exhibition “Making Great Illustration.” She uses her ceramic work to decoratively explore ideas around the theme of surface depth.
For more than a decade Jo’s professional practice has been in parallel with involvement with the Association of Illustrators with whom she has worked closely to develop their publications, latterly the award winning “Varoom magazine.” She is co- editor of “Drawing -The Process” published by Intellect books, has published articles dealing with many aspects of professional practice within illustration and has reviewed more than 20 books about illustration internationally. She is currently working collaboratively on a large research project entitiled”Making Great Illustration” investigating the processes and ideologies underpinning the creation of the most important work produced across illustrative practice internationally. This will culminate in a book to be published by A+C Black in 2011 and a major touring exhibition.
Recent activities within the international research community have culminated in the formation of the Varoom- Illustration lab for which as instigator Jo is currently co-ordinating the collaboration of major providers of illustration to both recognise and realise international research objectives and create a platform for the subject as an important cultural force.