This is my SWOT analysis and I must apologise for the terrible quality of the above images. As I did them in Pages, in table format it wasn't so easy to transpose them onto my blog but I think it's legible.
During one of our lectures, it was suggested that we look at artists (non A listed artists) with a view to check out how they have channelled their marketing and general publicity and how they have achieved it. I decided, rather than looking at any old artist I would choose three artists who have inspired me.
Kurt Jackson. jacksonfoundationgalllery.com
During the summer I went to Cornwall to see an exhibition by the Cornish based artist Kurt Jackson. To be brutally honest, I had not heard of him but he had an exhibition of his work at the gallery in St Just in Cornwall, and as we were staying just up the road from there we decided to pop along. His work is often abstract which I really like and this particular set of pictures were inspired by seals. He describes himself on his ‘about’ section of his website like this
The Jackson Foundation Gallery in St. Just, Cornwall, was established in 2017. It was started by Kurt Jackson and his wife Caroline Jackson. The gallery showcases Kurt Jackson's work, particularly his environmental and nature-themed art, and it also serves as a space for exhibitions focused on environmental, social, and political issues. Jackson cleverly utilised a former industrial building in the heart of St. Just, and the gallery is part of Jackson's wider efforts to promote ecological awareness and sustainability. He has done a few t.v. programmes with Rick Stein, (this information slightly put me on the back foot with the way I perceived him as I’m not wholly keen on the way Rick Stein has taken over some parts of Cornwall, notably Padstow (or Padstein as we call it). That said, he clearly has a penchant for getting the right publicity to sell his work. In fact, slight synchronicity here but I was having a conversation with a lady in Wells who told me she almost bought a painting by Kurt Jackson but it was so big there was not enough wall space in her cottage to accommodate it. This happened a few years ago so he has been inspiring art lovers for a long time.
Catherine Knight - @catknightart
I met Cat Knight about twelve years ago when she came to do some work with the art department where I used to work, she then decided to do her teacher training and become an art teacher. She ended up getting a teaching job at an independent school in Bristol and was there for many years until she decided to become an independent artist and also teaches classes at the RWA. I really like her work, it is interesting and very different. It is slightly abstract but still maintains the flavour of real so to speak.
During the Covid pandemic in 2021 she painted a series of work called “Isolation windows” which are fantastic for their tranquility and soul, which is a quality which most of her paintings have. I think this the reason I love her work so much. As far as exhibitions are concerned she has done two exhibitions at the RWA, the first which I have already mentioned’ Isolation windows and more recently last year in 2023 called Long Shadows.
Cat has a young family and as a consequence is most likely juggling her work/artistic life as well as her family life which is probably quite hard. I have looked for more information about any other publicity or exhibition she has had but they are thin on the ground. This is a shame as her work is excellent and I’m fairly sure there will come a time where she will be more well known nationally as an up and coming artist to be celebrated.
Ikuko Iwamoto
Ikuko is a ceramic artist from Japan but is now London based. Her work is a very different kind of ceramic work. She works mainly in ceramics, but her work within this genre is many and varied. One of my favourite pieces is called Internal Spikey Bowl. And in 2016 she had an exhibition at Sidcot School art gallery and I curated her work there. She spent time giving some of the students some master classes about how she constructed her work. She often uses slip moulds with Porcelain slip and demonstrated how she achiever her spikes in her work. These are rolled by hand and dried then pressed through the soft undried piece which has come out of the slip mould. Her work is very exact and this also is evident in her marketing strategy. Looking at the list above it is very clear that she spends time and effort in not only making but setting up numerous exhibitions every year. And not just one exhibition but several in any given year. It is remarkable how many she is involved in. She certainly works hard to publicise her work. She uses exhibitions nationwide as well as social media and YouTube.
Charlotte Manser
Charlotte Manser is a functional potter and founder of Charlotte Manser Ceramics, a sustainable, independent ceramics brand in Berkshire, UK, run by an all-female team. I ifrst met Charlotte when I worked with her, she as an intern following leaving university and I was working as an art technician. Her business, known for vibrant, handcrafted pottery, focuses on supporting small businesses and promoting slow craft. Starting off in her Granmas garage she soon started to make a name for herself and despite initial discouragement about a career in pottery, Charlotte built a six-figure business, collaborated with figures like John Legend, and expanded her studio into a 2600 sq ft teaching space. Passionate about fostering creative education, Charlotte employs and mentors young makers, hosts retreats, workshops, and lectures, and actively shares her journey and insights on social media. Her brand embraces the rising public interest in traditional crafts and aims to inspire others to pursue creative careers. She is clearly a savvy business woman and all the nicer for her willingness to share her knowledge and how to avoid the pitfalls when starting a new business.
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