Biography
Originally from Burnley, Jo has studied Natural History Illustration, Illustration, Graphic Design and Printmaking.
Exhibiting regularly and widely throughout the country for over 12 years, her work is ground-breaking and highly regarded, with pieces in the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) and Arts Council England (ACE) Collections, Head office of Zeiss, Munich.
Her residencies include a year at the Florence Trust Studio in London, and her public art commissions have involved work for Mill field Sculpture Commission, Derbyshire Moorlands and Sheffield Galleries and Museums Trust and Blackpool Illuminations.
In 2005 she completed work at Loughborough University as an Advanced Research Fellow; research which significantly developed her interest in drawing digitally to create inspirational ‘light drawings’ through the application of industrial laser technology and commercial computer software.
Since then, she has been continuing to develop and explore her understanding of technological processes in order to push the boundaries and possibilities in the design and production of site-specific artwork for unusual architectural (indoor and outdoor) spaces, through exhibitions and public art commissions.
In the last year she has been researching and developing new ways to create customized sculptural light drawing samples, both for interior and exterior locations, through the use of digital technologies, high-end lighting devices (such as LEDS) and new fabrication techniques.
Her new series of work, to be exhibited for Blackpool Illuminations Centenary 2012 is her most ambitious project to date. Jo Berry had the opportunity to re- create and reinterpret 1938 Fluted Pylons with a modern twist. Secondly. Berry took inspiration from the amazing 1930s Collection of drawings and photographs from the Illumination Archives (what a treasure trove of beautiful Illustrative drawings, luminous creations of light, fun, ingenuity and superb draughtmanship).
This project has been funded by Arts Council England, and an important part of this project is Public Engagement, Berry worked with community groups to make light boxes, drawings and design work inspired by the work she had been doing inspired by the wonderful collections.