ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
KENT ARTIST PROFILE
JADE TAYLOR
INTRICATELY WEAVING NATURE’ S NARRATIVES, JADE TAYLOR BEAUTIFULLY CAPTURES OUR NATURAL WORLD WITH POETIC REALISM, BLURRING THE LINES BETWEEN THE DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS. A PROUD PART OF THE ESTEEMED CRANBROOK ART SHOW RETURNING THIS NOVEMBER, JADE CONTINUES TO INSPIRE BUDDING ARTISTS THROUGH ENRICHING COLLABORATIONS AND STORY-RICH ARTWORKS.
Jade, please tell us about your artist journey so far. My current work is a reflection of this journey as I trained as a textile designer, specialising in embroidery, and had the pleasure of teaching Fine Art and Textiles for 27 years at Benenden School. Working across a wide range of media throughout this time enabled me to explore and understand a breadth of materials from sculpture to printmaking. The approach was always one of curiosity and experimentation, as you learn far more from your mistakes than by playing it safe.
You strikingly aim to capture the beauty of nature and wildlife in your art, what inspires you most about the natural world? The relationships and narratives that are found in nature. I am constantly researching and learning, in a way the work I create is a continuation of teaching as it enables me to spread knowledge and appreciation for the complexities of our natural world. Combining art, wildlife and gardening, by making connections, capturing a sense of place and weaving hidden narratives into works that on the surface may appear more decorative. Ecology, animal behaviours and folklore are what drives the work, but often the progress of that inspiration is thwarted by nature itself.
You cleverly combine your skills in printmaking and painting to create your distinctive works, how does this nature dependent process work? The creation of work is rarely linear, it relies on perfectly captured botanical specimens and the spark of inspiration in terms of narrative, before each unique print is cut and collaged by hand into my paintings on linen. Embracing this, my studio is bursting with multiple works in progress, all laid out waiting patiently for their moment to shine. The process is slow and seasonal, it can be frustrating at times, but patience is something I have in abundance and there are no shortcuts when the process is so reliant on nature itself.
I often work without a specific outcome in mind during the summer months of printing by hand. Slowly working with the rhythms of nature, capturing moments as they occur. I am able to control the pressure with just my fingertips, on even the most delicate of plants without distortion. The botanical monoprints themselves have a beauty and fragility all of their own. As the rice paper wafts drying in the breeze, printing days are a slow, magical experience.
Do you ever work to commission? Yes, however it’ s very much a collaboration and requires patience, given the unique and seasonal nature of my process. The narratives and the botanical monoprints tie the work to a place and enable commissions to be intensely personal works for clients. Personal memories can be captured, and stories told through connections with plants or wildlife.
Since returning to art fulltime what achievements are you most proud of? Taking the leap to pursue a dream and the successes that have followed still feel a little surreal. Being selected by The Chelsea Arts Society, The Society of Women Artists at the Mall Galleries and the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition are undoubtedly huge achievements, however being asked to join the team of The Cranbrook Art Show feels even more personally significant.
Tell us more about The Cranbrook Art Show and what led you to become a part of it? The Cranbrook Art Show has been a mustsee event for me since its inception in 1993.
It always delivers the wow factor and has a reputation for exhibiting exceptional quality work. Over the years it’ s been a showcase for many artists whom I admire and a show I hoped to one day take part in. When asked by Louisa Crispin and Felicity Flutter if I wanted to be a part of the professional team that organises the show, I didn’ t hesitate.
What can our readers look forward to at this year’ s Cranbrook Art Show?
Running from 6- 8 November, this year is our 30th anniversary and we have curated a selection of fresh new talent to discover, alongside well-established names. We’ ve even found a way to bring you extra artists without changing the feel of this much-loved and wellrespected show. If you have never visited the Cranbrook Art Show then make sure you pay a visit this year- it’ s most certainly not your average art show.
Catch Jade’ s work at Kata Jewellery, Tunbridge Wells until 24 December, Star Brewery, Lewes from 24 October- 2 November, at The Cranbrook Art Show from 6- 8 November and The Beaney, Canterbury from 15 November- 11 January 2026.
jadetaylorstudio. com cranbrookartshow. org. uk jadetaylorartist cranbrookartshow
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