Artist in Residence: Jackie Berridge

"Familiar items help to orientate the viewer and help them to formulate their own ideas and stimulate memories or thoughts. Jackie’s paintings leave a lot to the imagination. Doors are left open, rooms left empty and characters looked in on. One has to decide what they are there for and it is in that openness for interpretation that Berridge’s work flourishes." Felix, 4th year pupil.

Jackie Berridge’s work focuses on people in domestic settings, representing a world of interior and exterior; a place to dream, a sanctuary or alternatively a place of captivity and imprisonment. Whilst occupants live cheek by jowl, they also remain solitary and independent of each other. Colour, pattern and visual clues provide insights into character whilst the expression of individuals remains passive – allowing for personal interpretation.

The paintings in her 'Living Rooms' exhibition at the school, many of which are being shown for the first time, have evolved through imagination where the artist is transported back to childhood and role play. The eye is taken on a route round a warren of images, each habitat offering a different story. 

Based in Nottingham, Jackie undertook another residency earlier this year, to Baroda, Gujarat in India. Jackie notes that seeing the architectural jewels first hand and viewing Indian miniatures in context was an intensely rich experience and has informed these recent paintings. The surfaces have become increasingly decorative and the pinkish hue of Indian light is more evident. 

Subjects range from the ordinary to the sublime, fictional characters as well as real people - with symbolic clues woven into the work. The physical identity of the ‘sitter’ is not important, the focus being the ‘essence’ of character. Whilst vibrant colours and luscious foliage draw in the viewer, the narrative is often unsettling. The stories remain ambiguous and allow for various interpretations.  Jackie says she has enjoyed hearing viewers debate different perpectives and experiences of her work in the gallery.

As the school's Artist in Residence, Jackie worked with 2nd and 4th year pupils on their own drawings and guided them through the process of making large-scale collaborative pieces. The drawing workshops saw boys working in teams to develop their ideas and sketches into impressive artworks, now hanging on the studio walls. They each produced their own presentations on Jackie's work, making insightful comments about technique, context, and content. "Even though the people may be flawed, the painting shows that each of them have something that they care for, and that life is about being with, and interacting with others, not just yourself, and that we all need and care for each other." Saava, 2nd year pupil.

The exhibition, 'Living Rooms',  is open to the public 2 - 4pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Everyone is welcome to our celebratory evening to see the work and meet the artist, on October 18th, 7 - 8:30pm.  The Angelus Gallery, Art School, Winchester College, 21 Kingsgate Street,Winchester SO23 9PG.

For more information, email gallery@wincoll.ac.uk
Unfortunately, wheelchair access is limited, so please do contact us ahead of a visit.