JOHN RENO JACKSON

Born and raised in the Cayman Islands, John Reno Jackson is an interdisciplinary artist based in London, England, drawing inspiration from his Caymanian heritage and the dynamic environment surrounding him. Currently pursuing a BFA at the prestigious Slade School of Fine Art, UCL.

Jackson's artistic journey began with foundational courses in painting and drawing at the Art Academy London in 2015. His growth as an artist has been further enriched by mentorship from TURPS Correspondence Course from 2020 to 2022.

Jackson's practice continually evolves through participation in residencies and educational programs. He broadened his artistic horizons as the first Caymanian to attend the PADA Studios residency program in Barriero, Portugal, in 2020. In the summer of 2022, he had the privilege of attending Caribbean Linked VI at Atelier 89' in Aruba.

His artwork has been showcased in numerous exhibitions, including the Art Academy London's "Winter Showcase" in 2015 and "Paulo" at PADA Studios in 2020. The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands has also exhibited his work in shows such as "a heron amongst the storm" in 2022 (his first major solo show), "Island of Women: Life at Home in Our Maritime Years" in 2020, "The 2nd Cayman Islands Biennial: Reimagined Futures" in 2021, and "The People's Collection: A 25 Year Cultural Legacy" in 2022. Jackson has been honoured to receive grants from CATAPULT I & II (2020, 2022), organized by Kingston Creative, Fresh Milk Barbados, and AFJ.

His multimedia exploration encompasses themes of preservation, isolation, and identity. Jackson's work reflects current and historical contexts within the Cayman Islands and the Caribbean region, confronting the complexities of blending personal memories with prevailing social conditions. He uses diverse materials and techniques to integrate traditional Caymanian crafts, such as Silver Thatch rope, with found objects like fabrics, dirt, and discarded ephemera. Jackson is intrigued by the contrasting values assigned to objects and their inherent identities. His work investigates the narratives from an artwork's experience with nature and its patina that develops from this. 

His primary focus remains painting, where he balances figurative and abstract realms. Jackson's inventive palettes are grounded in reality. The works appear somewhat naïve and impulsive, characterized by bold, vibrant colours and exaggerated forms. This intense colour scheme heightens the sense of illusion and blurs the boundaries between representation and abstraction. However, this freedom of expression comes from an intense study of the subjects Jackson interpolates.

For Jackson, painting is a reflection of the environment and emotions that surround us. By combining painting with found objects, photographs, materials, or natural settings, he strives to expand and enrich the narrative of each piece. Influenced directly by his surroundings, his work aims to resonate with our multifaceted world. Jackson's art seeks to evoke the essence of these experiences, subtly or overtly.

With his works becoming a part of the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands' permanent collection (in 2020, 2021, and 2022), Jackson is honoured to contribute to his homeland's cultural legacy. As a dedicated painter, photographer, performer, sculptor, and set designer, he continues to live and work in London, England, passionately pursuing his artistic vision.