Meet the Artist - Janine Davidson

Janine Davidson / Black Church Print Studio in conversation with Nicola Murphy in December 2008

”I have been captivated by the motif of the hot air balloon which is evident in my current work. In 'Ascension I' it’s coupled with collaged pieces of envelopes, mixing the everyday with the idea of escape..”
Janine Davidson, December 2008

Brief Introduction:

Janine Davidson is a member of the Black Church Print Studio, and she and 10 other members are featured in Draíocht's current exhibition 'Inhabit' in the First Floor Gallery. Draíocht and the Black Church Print Studio invited the studio’s members to submit work for an exhibition under the title of ‘Inhabit’. The title ‘Inhabit’ refers to the notion of home, family and belonging, and is of particular significance for this show which will take place during the Christmas period, a time when families and friends come together and spend time in ritual and celebration. The exhibition will comprise a wide range of media, which will showcase the diverse technical vocabulary of printed matter. Black Church Print Studio is one of the leading fine art print studios in Ireland, located in Dublin’s city centre. It was established in 1982 as a non-profit organisation and is grant-aided by the Arts Council and Dublin City Council.

Janine was born in Belfast, and she graduated from NCAD in 1997 with a B.A Hons in Fine Art, Printmaking and subsequently with a Higher Diploma in Community Arts in 2003. She has been a Black Church Print Studio member since 2001 and is currently on the Board of Directors. She is also part of the Artists Panel in IMMA 2007/2008. Her work has been exhibited internationally in New York, Sweden, South Africa, France and here in Ireland. Recent Group exhibitions include Iontas, RHA Annual Show and Milestones at the OPW, an exhibition showcasing the work of Black Church members as part of the studios twenty five year celebration programme. In recent years she has participated in residencies in Johannesburg and Nice where she had her first solo show.


Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself, your background, where you're from and where you live?

I was born and bred in Belfast. I moved to Dublin to go to college in 1993. I graduated from NCAD in 1997 with a B.A Hons in Fine Art, Printmaking and completed a Post graduate in Community Arts at NCAD in 2003. I lived in Berlin for a year whilst on Erasmus and have taken part in residencies in Johannesburg and Nice. I am currently living in the Liberties with my partner and our two young kids.

Q: When you were small, what did you want to be when you grew up? Were there any clues in your childhood that you would follow an artistic path later?

I always enjoyed art at school, entering competitions, encouraged by my Aunt Annette who worked in illustration and my mum who was very supportive and encouraging. I also had a very pragmatic and dedicated teacher Mrs Bowen to whom I owe a great deal. We used to be given special permission to use the art room on weekends in preparation for our A levels.


Q: How long have you been an artist and why choose an arty profession over a more conventional career, like being an accountant, or working in an office for instance?

I have been making art a long time and exhibiting since 1995 so its kind of second nature at this stage. I have dabbled in office work on occasion and let’s just say accountancy was never my forte.

Q: Perhaps you also have a conventional day job to supplement your income as an artist and if yes does this interfere with your creativity and focus?

I work in different community contexts which I feel greatly enhances my practice. I just recently finished working with Artsbase at IMMA which was really interesting. I have also been working with the Phibsboro Retirement Association for seven years so as you can imagine we have established a very strong friendship.


Q: When did you create your first print and what was your subject matter?

I made my first print on a school trip to the Ulster Museum working with the artist Terence Gravett. It was a portrait, I still have the original woodblock, somewhere.

Q: Has your style changed over the years and what might have influenced this change if yes?

I think your style changes all the time perhaps becoming a bit more finely tuned as you develop your practice taking on board what is going on around you and where you are at.


Q: Have you ever tried other art forms like photography, sculpting, making music, or dancing for instance?

I use a lot of photographic imagery in my work so I have always worked with photography. I have made video and installation pieces and more recently made paper constructions for the Jeco Sword Show. I love experimenting with different media and wouldn’t like to limit myself to just printmaking. It depends really, different ideas lend themselves to different forms, so I just go with it. I’ve never really been any good at music but I have always enjoyed a good dance.

Q: Tell us more about Jeco Sword?

Jeco Sword is a Dublin based artists collective consisting of myself, Clodagh Emoe, Orla Whelan and Sinead O’Reilly. We as a group of friends engage in a variety of different networks and activities and then intermittently return to each other to relate and share our broadening and contrasting experiences. The group’s diverse disciplines, which include, drawing, painting, print and installation, creates a compilation that works both independently and collectively. Our second exhibition was called 'Trapezium', which is a constellation of four stars that together form a unique relationship. This was an exhibition of new work which functioned as an exchange of ideas and revealed the investigative nature of our project. By assembling the wide range of art practices in one space this inventive exhibition explored notions of inter-connectivity and resonance. The show comprised of a large fragmented drawing by Sinead O’Reilly. My work featured an installation of miniature hot-air balloons (see above). Orla Whelan presented new large paintings and Clodagh Emoe produced a floor piece to facilitate gatherings and transitory exercises.


Q: What other artists or people have influenced or inspired you, and in what ways?

I am a big fan of William Kentridge, a South African Artist, whose work I became familiar with while on a residency in Johannesburg. I also have an amazing group of friends from college who are all very successful and inspiring artists.


Q: How do you keep motivated if you're having a bad day?

I hang out with my kids which brings everything into perspective.


Q: How do you juggle being a mother and an artist?

By doing just that, constantly juggling - the more you practice the easier it gets.


Q: How have you handled the business side of being an artist, promoting yourself and getting exposure, selling your work etc?

I probably haven’t handled it as well as I could have but I am definitely working on that side of things, picking up tips from fellow artists on the way.

Q: Could you tell us a little more about your work 'Ascension I', as featured in Draíocht's current exhibition 'Inhabit', featuring work by you and other members of the Black Church Print Studio?

'Ascension I' , is part of an ongoing body of work that aims to explore the habitual, the everyday routine and our subsequent attempt to break from these grounding elements. It is informed by a piece ' The Ascension' an installation which was exhibited at the Lab in June 2008 as part of the Trapezium show by Jeco Sword. I have been captivated by the motif of the hot air balloon which is evident in my current work. In 'Ascension I' it’s coupled with collaged pieces of envelopes, mixing the everyday with the idea of escape.


Q: Can you tell us some more about the Black Church Print Studio? How long have you been a member?

The Black Church Print Studio, in Temple bar, provides printmaking facilities for an increasing number of members and non member artists. Artists have access to etching, screenprint, lithography, relief presses and multimedia equipment. I have been a member since 2001 and am currently on the Board of Directors. Last year the studio celebrated its 25th anniversary which incorporated many new initiatives both within the studio and collaboratively with other spaces like The Lab, we are actively working to continue and develop such projects.

Q: What other exhibitions are coming up for you in the future?

I am developing my current body of work with a view to having a solo exhibition.


Q: Do you have any advice you could give to an artist just starting out?

Travel wide and take note. Peer critique is invaluable.


Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In a purpose built studio in Kilkenny, growing my own vegetables and enjoying the good life.


Q: What are your interests and hobbies outside of the art world?

I love second hand shops, lots of hidden treasures and yoga when I get the chance.