Jess Kidd

Jess Kidd, winner of the 2023 Emerging Artist Awards, is a multidisciplinary artist with a focus on mixed media painting. Her work spans a variety of techniques, from oil painting and drawing to performance and short filmmaking. Jess’s creative process is heavily influenced by Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which not only informs her artistic methods but also shapes the themes she explores. "You’ve got to tell yourself that it doesn’t matter if you make mistakes, and that being creative is fun. You can be open to making mistakes, discovering new things, and new ways of working," she reflects. This emphasis on experimentation and play is central to her approach, and she regularly challenges herself by stepping outside her comfort zone, constantly pushing the boundaries of her practice.

Artistic Background

Jess’s artistic journey began at a very young age. Struggling with speech and dyslexia as a child, she found art to be a vital outlet for expressing her emotions and navigating the world. She went on to complete a foundation course at Leeds College of Arts, and later graduated with a degree in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins, London, in 2008. However, her early career was interrupted by a serious illness in her mid-twenties, forcing her to pause her artistic endeavours. Despite this setback, Jess has recently re-emerged in the art world, with a renewed energy and a passion that continues to drive her practice.

Growing up in Keighley, Jess was captivated by the Pennine post-industrial landscape, a setting she once took for granted. Her work is deeply inspired by this unique environment, and she seeks to provoke people to reconsider the beauty and significance of their everyday surroundings. She explains, "There’s lots of stuff I love about Keighley—amazing culture, food, music, and the people are really friendly." An essential part of her practice involves walking around her local area, drawing inspiration from the streets and the sense of community. Since experiencing personal loss during the Covid pandemic, Jess has refined her creative philosophy to focus on ‘finding joy’—whether by discovering beauty in unexpected places or translating her love of colour and texture into pieces that resonate with others.

Winning the 2023 Emerging Artist Awards was a transformative experience for Jess. Reflecting on her time with the Scott Creative Arts Foundation (SCAF), she describes it as "lovely to meet the other artists involved and to have that experience." The opportunity not only affirmed her place in the creative community but also gave her the freedom to pursue her artistic interests without the need for external validation. "It’s given me the confidence to be confident in what I’m interested in, and not feel like I’ve got to do things to please other people or put myself in a box." Jess found SCAF to be an incredibly supportive environment, adding, "Everybody at SCAF is so supportive and warm and easy to talk to."