The Others

Meet The Others: Jo Hummel-Newell

The Game Changers. The Rule Breakers. The Innovators.
Discover some of the fantastic emerging talent showcasing their work at The Other Art Fair.

Taking a step back from today’s slick visual culture, fair artist Jo Hummel-Newell’s abstract artwork invites art lovers to take part in a carefully handcrafted viewing experience. Jo’s art seeks to play with order, reactivating the seemingly neglected and overlooked items we are presented with on a daily basis, such as bus tickets, shopping lists and doodles, and transforming them into works of art through destruction and reconstruction. Jo trained at the Royal College of Art London and Kingston University, and awards include Arts Council England, Quay Arts Purchase Prize and RWS Contemporary Prize Bankside Gallery. 

 

 

How would you describe your artwork?

Colourful, spontaneous, abstract, collage, painting. Everything is collaged and remains unfixed until the desired ‘event’ is reached. I am more purist these days working mainly in watercolour paper and acrylic but the work is always informed by the handwritten, handcrafted, found ephemera imagery which is kept close by in my studio. I am always striving to maintain the accidental quality of found ephemera. You could compare it to a child’s drawing, a pile of receipts or a sum scribbled on the back of an envelope. Sometimes a work is too overdone or contrived and is either binned or cut up and re ordered as a new piece.          

What does making art mean to you?

Art has always been a place to go to, it connects you to everything. Its about creating an individual language which is honest to you and hopefully resonates with others. I think artists are filters, we filter the details and represent them back to the world as images or experiences.

How did you get started making art?

I’ve just always disappeared with my pencils. My earliest memories are of being transported into my imagination through drawing. Over time you begin to select processes and ideas which resonate strongly and before you know it you’ve invented a world which is entirely your own.

What is it like to be a part of The Other Art Fair?

I’ve absolutely loved being part of the other art fair. Its such an electric vibe, meeting other artists, galleries, collectors, plus the team are super cheerful and helpful. I’ve not experienced a fair like it yet. 

What is your favourite piece for sale on your SA profile and why?

‘Anti-Matter’, 35.8in x 43.3in, $1,810

My favourite work would be ANTI MATTER. It’s acrylic and collage on Linen. I’d worked on it for a couple of years and theres a lot of emotion stored up in the piece. Physics fascinates me and this piece was made after spending a period of time reading about the material elements of the universe. It makes me feel tiny and in awe and I like that.