Jacqui Barrowcliffe
Â
Artistic Approach and Process
 Artistic Background
Â
Jacqui's passion for art began in her childhood, where she explored drawing, painting, and photography. Graduating with a Fine Art degree from Middlesex University in London, she then moved to Barcelona, where she spent over two decades working in different fields. Her artistic journey came full circle when she returned to her roots, retraining in Therapeutic Photography and art therapy. Now based in Scarborough, UK, Jacqui works from her studio at the Old Parcels Office Artspace, where she continues to develop her practice. "Humans are naturally creative, and it's just about connecting with that creativity," she notes, reflecting on her work with community art projects and creative workshops.
Inspirations and Themes
 Deeply connected to her environment, Jacqui’s work is profoundly influenced by the Yorkshire coastline, especially the areas around Whitby and Scarborough, where she currently resides. She is particularly drawn to themes of human connection and disconnection from nature, as well as the environmental threats posed by coastal erosion. Her piece for the Emerging Artist Awards, which focused on the memorial benches along Whitby’s cliffs, exemplifies her exploration of loss and remembrance. "Walking on the beach is a huge source of inspiration for me," she says, emphasising the importance of the landscape in her creative process. Jacqui values the creative community in Scarborough, which she describes as a nurturing environment for her artistic growth.
Emerging Artist Awards Experience and Working with SCAF
Being a finalist in the 2023 Emerging Artist Awards marked a pivotal moment in Jacqui’s career. The opportunity allowed her to create a piece she had long envisioned and provided a platform to showcase her work to a wider audience. "The awards gave me the chance to make something I'd been wanting to for ages," she reflects. Beyond the recognition, the experience fostered connections with other artists, many of whom she remains in touch with. "It's been really nice to continue that relationship with SCAF and with some of the other artists," she shares, noting how the Awards helped form a supportive artist community.
Since participating in the Emerging Artist Awards, Jacqui's career has continued to flourish. She has been involved in several exhibitions, including the Redcar Summer Exhibition (Redcar Contemporary Art Gallery), the Wintertide Festival (Scarborough), and solo shows such as "Mother, Nature, Balance" at RuptureXIBIT in London. She also had the opportunity to take part in an artist residency and collaborated on a community project with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. Reflecting on these accomplishments, she highlights the rewarding nature of her involvement in various artistic initiatives: "It was nice to meet with the other artists and since then we’ve kind of created an artist community with some of the previous finalists."
Â
Future Aspirations and Emerging Ambitions
Looking ahead, Jacqui is excited about the prospect of spending more time in her studio, where she plans to continue developing new ideas and projects. Her ambitions extend beyond Yorkshire, with a desire to exhibit her work across the UK and participate in more artist residencies. "I would love more opportunities to show my work outside of Yorkshire," she says, eager to expand her creative reach and explore new artistic environments. For Jacqui, the future holds limitless possibilities for growth, experimentation, and continued connection with both the natural world and the artistic community.
"It's been really nice to continue that relationship with SCAF and with some of the other artists"
