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Zoe Maxwell

 "I like to remind myself that I'm not just as good as my last painting"

 

Artistic Approach and Process

Zoe Maxwell, a Leeds-based artist, specialises in painting but also incorporates a wide variety of techniques, including drawing, collage, and photography. She refers to photography as a “catalyst” for how she begins a piece, using it as a foundation to build upon. Her favourite medium is oil paint due to its versatility, though she also emphasises sustainability in the materials and resources she uses. Memory, in particular, is a recurring theme in Zoe’s work—drawing inspiration from a close family member’s experience with a brain tumour that affected their memory. Alongside this, she weaves elements of humour into her pieces.

Zoe’s creative process revolves around what she calls ‘recontextualisation’, a technique based on episodic memory retrieval. She begins by collecting photographs, either a single one or multiple images, and uses them as the primary material source. From there, she creates a physical or digital collage, depending on the aesthetic she wants, moving between the collage and the final piece in a continuous cycle of retrieval and reinterpretation. "It’s like translating and retrieving these things continuously,” she explains. Accessibility is also a priority in Zoe’s work, as she aims to provide alternative formats and displays that cater to diverse audiences. She has taken part in a placement with ‘Engage’, an organisation dedicated to making art more accessible.

 Artistic Background

 Zoe’s artistic journey began at a young age, where she often found herself drawing and journaling. After completing her A-levels in art, she pursued an art foundation course and has recently graduated with an undergraduate degree in Fine Art from Leeds Arts University. Throughout her time at university, she was actively involved in showcasing her work, exhibiting at various venues across Leeds, including art spaces, music venues, and bars. Reflecting on the local art scene, Zoe says, "It just feels like a playground. You can walk around and always see a friendly face, and there are always loads of openings for exhibitions."
 

Inspirations and Themes

Memory plays a central role in Zoe’s artistic exploration, influenced by personal experiences of a family member’s illness. The theme of episodic memory, how it shifts and changes upon retrieval, forms the backbone of her work, while humour occasionally punctuates her pieces, adding layers of interpretation. Zoe is also deeply inspired by the collaborative and supportive atmosphere of Leeds' art scene, which she credits as having a significant impact on her creative development.

Emerging Artist Awards Experience and Working with SCAF

Zoe’s involvement in the Emerging Artist Awards with the Scott Creative Arts Foundation was a pivotal moment in her artistic journey. She found the experience invaluable, particularly in how it allowed her to explore new interpretations of her work through discussions with other artists. "It's fun that there are so many different emerging artists represented through SCAF, of different ages and backgrounds. It really shows that university isn’t always the way in and definitely shouldn’t be the only route," she reflects. The feedback and validation she received during the awards provided her with the confidence to continue pushing her boundaries.

Post Emerging Artist Awards
 

Since taking part in the Emerging Artist Awards, Zoe has achieved notable milestones. After graduating with her Fine Art degree, she participated in her degree show, which was exhibited in London. She has also had her work displayed at Skipton Town Hall and secured a prestigious graduate art residency with 'Serf', an artist-led studio organisation in Leeds. Her residency, which began in August, offers her the chance to continue developing her practice outside of an academic setting. Despite these accomplishments, she remains grounded, reminding herself that her value as an artist goes beyond her latest piece: "I do need to remind myself that I’m not just as good as my last painting."

 

Future Aspirations and Emerging Ambitions

Looking forward, Zoe aspires to continue expanding her practice and gaining more experience outside the university framework. She is considering pursuing a master’s degree but is also eager to explore other opportunities for artistic development. In particular, she is passionate about making art more accessible to a wider audience, both in terms of representation and gallery experience. "We need to make art more accessible in representation and how you move around the gallery. Not everybody processes information the same way. You want it to be a space where people feel comfortable and like they have been considered."

Through her evolving journey, Zoe Maxwell embodies the spirit of a dynamic and thoughtful artist, ever exploring new ways to push boundaries and create meaningful, accessible art.

 "It's fun that there's so many different emerging artists represented through SCAF that are different ages or maybe self-taught to highlight that university is not always the way in and it definitely should not be the norm or the traditional way"