Jacky Oliver

Jacky utilises a range of metal techniques and processes to create small hand held objects through to large-scale architectural pieces, for exhibitions, commissions and residencies.
Teaching and leading workshops has been a key part of her practice.
Photograph by Barbara Chandler for Design Nation
Working in a process led way, ideas are allowed to be fluid making full use thorough research, thoughtful interpretation of the subject she then selects the appropriate technique, materials and scale to create a well informed, highly crafted final outcomes.
Jacky has undertaken residencies and projects in a number of institutions. These include Museums, a botanic garden, in a Library, schools, colleges and universities. Within the community she has facilitated workshops in care homes, with groups in libraries, mixed ability adult/ children workshops and sessions with participants with special needs. Varying in level and timescale from beginner to undergraduate.
Jacky enjoys bringing together a selection of research to create artefacts that stimulate viewers to consider and reflect on the piece on a number of levels. Each project is completely unique and the final outcome is always determined by the journey of exploration. She works in a reactive way that is process led. Responding to research, ideas are allowed to be fluid until all avenues have been explored with model-making and workshop development.
Her work brings together research from museums, archives and the local community, to inform the final artefacts, creating work that builds up a multilayered sense of a place or event. Working with archives, Jacky has created pieces that give a contemporary interpretation to historic material. She creates thought provoking, well considered works that demonstrate high technical skills.
CV
Education
1994-1998 Goldsmithing, Silversmithing, Metalwork and Jeweller M.A.(R.C.A) Royal College of Art, London.
1990-1994 B.A. (Hons) 2:1 Jewellery Middlesex University
1999-2000 PGCE in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Coventry University
Exhibitions
2022. 'Our Journey' with Design Nation, The Hub Sleaford.
2021-2022 ' We are commoners' by Craftspace, Oriel Davies Gallery, Leicester Gallery De Montfort University,
Make South West,, The Civic Barnsley, National Centre for Craft & Design, Sleaford
2021 Collect presented by Design Nation
2020 Collect Open, Collect Somerset House, London
2020 50 Bees Black Swan Art Centre, Frome
2019 Pewter Live 2019 The Worshipful Company of Pewters
2018 Collect presented by Vessel ,Collaboration - Oliver and Hawes, Saatchi Gallery, London
2016 ‘The Marsh She Knows’ Art in Romney Marsh
2014 Craft and Conflict Bilston Craft Gallery
2013 Craftsense Bilston Craft Gallery
2007 Solo Show The Chapel Gallery, Leek, Staffordshire
2004 ‘Boundaries of the Body’ Solo Show 20-21 Visual Arts Centre
2003-2004 Drawn From Life Exbury Gardens
2003 Metamorphosis The Chapel Gallery Ormskirk
2002-2003 Designing Ourselves’ National Museum of Scotland
2002 ‘Angels’ 20-21 Visual Arts Centre, Scunthorpe
2002-2004 ‘Made in the Middle’ National Touring exhibition
2001- 2002 Ikons of Identity National Touring exhibition
2000 NYAD2000’ DFN Gallery, New York
2001- 2002 ‘ Handbag’ Leicester, Dundee, Falkirk, Walsall, Ruthkin Craft Centre, Mansfield, Stroud, Nuneaton, Cheltenham
2000 ‘Inside out -Body sculpture inspired by the human form’ Solo Show Aurum, London
1998 Galerie Marzee, Nijmegen, Netherlands
1994 What is Jewellery’ Crafts Council, London
Residencies, Commissions and Collections:
2018 Making Peace Artist in Residence , National Memorial Arboretum
2017 Muse: Makers in Museums, Artist/ Workshop facilitator Teignmouth and Shaldon Museum, The Museum of Somerset,
Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Somerset Art Works
2017 Crafting the Future of Thurrock, Crafts Council
2017 ‘ Gather-ing’ Craftspace, Somerset Art works and National Trust
and 2015 Somerset Rural Life Museum and Stoke Sub Hamdon Tithe Barn
2016 Art in Romney Marsh, Ivychurch, St George and St Mary in the Marsh
2016 Extreme Weather The Old Slaughter House Arts Centre, Stratford upon Avon
2014 Artist in Residence and permanent sculptures Leicester University Harold Martin
and 2015 Botanic Garden
2014 Tally Ho‘ A Meeting Place’ Artist ArtsDepot London
2014 D Day 70 Artist in Residence Poole Museum and Musée de la Libération, Cherbourg
2013 and ‘Held in the Hand’ and ‘Touch Tables’ Commission
2010 Leicestershire Artworks Collection, Leicestershire Open Museum
2007-2008 Whitby Hospital Artist in Residence, Commission Whitby Hospital and Whitby Community College,
2008 ‘Making Art Real’ Commission, Scotstown School Aberdeen
2007 ‘Exhibiting Difference Manilla’ Huntarian Museum, Royal College of Surgeons
2007 ‘Westwood Key stone’ Artist in Residence Westwood High School, Leek, Staffordshire
2004 Arcadia Foyer commission Cunard Cruise Liner
Teaching
2022. Foundation Visiting Lecturer Oxford Brookes University
2018-Present Foundation Tutor City and Guilds of London Art School
2015-2016 Jewellery and Metalwork Tutor Richmond Adult Community College
2000–2014 Design Crafts BA(Hons)Lecturer / Foundation Lecturer De Montfort University, Leicester
2002-2015 Design Crafts BA, FDA and Foundation Lecturer Oxford and Cherwell Valley College
2008-2012 BA(Hons) Crafts External Examiner University of Derby
2001-2004 Jewellery and Silversmithing BA Lecturer Loughborough School of Art and Design,
1999-2000 Foundation Lecturer Coventry School of Art and Design, Coventry University
1998-1999 Foundation / BTEC Lecturer Kent Institute of Art and Design
1998-1999 G/NVQ/Foundation 3D Lecturer/H.N.C.Design Crafts Lecturer The Arts Institute at Bournemouth.
Community Engagement Teaching
2020-21 Field to Fork Arts Council Funded Workshop Artist Greigs City Academy, Richard Cloudesley, Bridge Trust and
The Light Project.
2018 Muse: Makers in Museums Workshop Artist
2017 Museum of Somerset, Blackbrook Primary School and Richard Huish College
2017 and 2016 Metal casting and print Workshop Artist Highgate Primary School, London
2017 Gather-ing Workshop Artist Strode College Foundation and Mendip P.R.U Centre
2017 Prospectus Transition Arts Project’ Workshop Leader Northfields Education Centre and Taunton Centre
2013- 2014 Art Beat Project Artist Bethnal Green Academy sponsored by Allen and Overy
2012 Big Draw Workshop Facilitor Verulamium Museum, St Albans
2009-2011 Artist Wrockwardine Wood Arts College, Telford - Working with Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Shropshire Archives and
Creative Partnerships
2009 Artist - Nursery, Year 1 and Year 2 Project Worlds End School, Birmingham
2008 Sculpture Project Artist Bridge Academy, London
2007 Exhibiting Difference Project Artist Huntarian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons, London
2007 Recycling – Woodland project and commission Cannon Park Primary School, Coventry
2006-2007 What if ? Project Artist Coventry Creative Partnerships Finham Primary and Cannon Park Primary Schools
Employment:
2018-2021. Metalworker Cox London
2014-2017 Metalworker Phillips and Wood Lighting
2016 Freelance metalworker for Yamaha speaker project Tord Boontje
Awards
2022 Tin and Wire Bursary at Cockpit 2022. Supported by the Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers alias Wire Workers”
2020 Arts Council Project Grant
2019 First Prize and Best in Show Pewter Live
The Worshipful Company of Pewterers
2000 Royal Society of Sculptors Bursary
1998 Nicole Strober Award
We are Commoners. exhibition by Craftspace
We are Commoners. exhibition by Craftspace