Jennifer Argo
Visual Artist / Arts Educator
Glasgow, Scotland
jennifera@btinternet.com
AWARDS
Travel Award - JD Fergusson Arts Award Trust, 2016
Glasgow Institute if Architects - Commendation Award for Sanctuary I, November 2015
Deutsche Bank Award for Creative Enterprise, June 2012 - Between Two Worlds
PUBLICATIONS
Archdaily:
http://www.archdaily.com/776805/hello-wood-2015-it-takes-a-village-to-raise-outstanding-architecture
A10 Magazine:
http://www.architectures.nl/news/2015/11/24/article-about-hello-wood-in-a10-magazine
Grafik Magazine:
http://www.grafik.net/category/talent/jennifer-argo
The Grind:
http://www.the-grind.co.uk/
Hot Tub Astronaut
http://hottubastronaut.com/2015/12/10/five-drawings/
RESEARCH TRIPS
30 September – 20 November 2016, New Zealand
I visited and documented sites of special geological, glaciological, ecological and botanical interest, funded by the J D Fergusson Arts Award Trust - Travel Fund.
RESIDENCIES
11 – 19 July 2015 Hello Wood, Budapest, Hungary
11-13 + 18-20 December 2014 Remarket, RBS Byres Road + RBS Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow (as part of Remarket exhibition curated by Recoat and Saltmarket Design)
September – November 2014 Lambhill Stables, in conjunction with Glasgow Sculpture Studio’s Creative Cargo Programme
WORK EXPERIENCE
Lead Artist / Art Educator
MOCA, Mapping Ocean Change through Art - NERC / UKRI
In partnership with Strathclyde University, and Creative Carbon Scotland
Scotland, November 2021 - September 2022
I will be delivering public workshops and facilitating discussions at arts venues and environmental organisations around the Scottish coast, bridging scientific knowledge with the lived experience of communities and people who work in marine coastal environments. We will focus on complex marine dynamics between the Arctic and the UK that are shifting due to climate change, including changing migratory routes, range shifts, and food chains between species, and knock-on societal effects on a local and international basis.
I will produce artwork based on the marine science data about changes to migration routes, range shifts and changing food chain dynamics due to climate change, and bridge information from the marine biology data models and research, with the lived-experience insights on climate change from the coastal community members, to be exhibited at CCS Climate Beacon venues and other arts / natural science venues and organisations across Scottish coastal regions.
Artist / Workshop Host
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Scotland, August 2016 to Present
I have a cross-disciplinary practice of sculpture, illustration, and installation. I have produced installations for events, hosted public workshops with local and international arts organisations, charities and community groups such as Glasgow Sculpture Studios, Hello Wood, Saltmarket Design, The Concrete Garden, Depot Arts, The Imaginarium, The Back Garden, Peacock Visual Arts, Young People’s Futures, Scottish Sculpture Workshop, and local schools and student groups. I also create prints, illustrations, commissioned artworks, and create , interactive, public sanctuary spaces.
My art and designs are inspired by natural systems and changing environments, and I use natural systems and connections as a metaphor for community. I am interested in the way complex ecostystems and communities form, develop and connect to each other, and the different ways we can adapt for a sustainable future, both environmentally and socio-politically.
As an independent artist, my work involves design, project coordination and delivery, events programming, marketing, organising events, workshops, exhibitions and installations, delivering workshops to groups of all ages, skill sets and learning needs, sourcing funding for projects, research and materials, administration, and working with local and international organisations, technicians, artists, scientists, curators, schools and community groups.
Workshop Host
Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH)
September 2019
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Leading secondary school students and students from a local college construction course in the build of a wooden sanctuary space in the middle of their school courtyard, to develop skills in construction, collaboration, skill-sharing, and to boost feelings of happiness and confidence.
Artist
Basin Bathhouse, Common Ground
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Glasgow, Scotland, May 2019
Designing and leading the build of a sanctuary space / shelter beside Glasgow Canal to facilitate a sauna installation by Common Ground x WARMTH Sauna.
Public Workshop Host
Glasgow Sculpture Studios
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Glasgow, 2014 to 2018
Conducting community-based sculpture workshops on behalf of Glasgow Sculpture Studios both for public events and with different community-based and educational organisations around North Glasgow.
Artist (Research and Documentation)
JD Fergusson Arts Award Trust / JD Fergusson Gallery,
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September 2016 to December 2016
I undertook a period of research and documentation across New Zealand, funded by the JD Fergusson Arts Award Trust, exploring sites of special geological and botanical interest to forward my practice and future collaborations with designers and architects in sustainable design. During my trip I visited Longbush Ecosanctuary, and met with architects, designers, anthropologists, and a tour looking at sustainable resource management.
Artist (Delivering an Interactive Installation)
Simon Community Trust / The Village Storytelling Centre
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Glasgow, August 2016 to September 2016
Designing, building and installing an interactive installation using recycled and reclaimed materials, to coincide with themes explored in a series of workshops by Daniel Serridge of The Village Storytelling Centre, as part of the Simon Community’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. The installation looked at connections between giant folklore and homelessness, and presented questions posed in Serridges’s storytelling workshops. The installation took viewers on a journey through claustrophobic and overwhelming, alienating spaces, and guided them towards more comforting and emancipating outcomes and affirmative statements taken from responses to the stories featured in the workshops.
Artist / Designer and Project Co-Coordinatior
Polyphonia, ArchiFringe
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Glasgow, January 2016 to July 2016
I provided design, conceptual and artistic input towards the collaborative design of a sanctuary installation as part of ArchiFringe 2016, funded by Creative Scotland, alongside a group of architects, tacticians and musicians. The project also involved co-coordination and of the installation, structural consideration, construction of the installation on site as part of a group, and organisation / facilitation of the de-stall process.
Workshop Host (Artist)
For Fika Sake
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Glasgow, May 2016 to June 2016
Hosting a public drawing workshops at For Fika Sake in Glasgow during a month-long exhibition and pop-up shop. The workshop was adapted to suit the needs of experienced artists and designers, working from complex still life elements.
Visual Art Assistant (Casual Hours)
Park Gallery, Callendar House
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Falkirk, March 2014 to January 2015
The casual hours position involved assisting in the development and implementation of the on-going contemporary art programme at Park Gallery, including facilitation of artists, the installation and invigilation of exhibitions, marketing, managing the public art programme of talks, regular workshops and events, and the production of press releases and promotional materials as well as undertaking general administrative duties.
Design Consultancy / Live-Build Facilitation
Baxendale
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Glasgow, May 2014 to August 2015
I provided design consultancy, and build facilitation for various ongoing community-based projects run by Baxendale Studio.
Hello Wood, Project Leader / Workshop Host
Hello Wood
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Budapest, June - July 2015
Sanctuary - Jennifer Argo + Lee Ivett, Hello Wood Project Village
Leading a group of students in the design and build of a 1:1 scale installation as part of the Hello Wood 2015 Project Village programme. The week-long live-build project developed participants skills and various aspects involved in design and build processes, including developing and presenting conceptual ideas and designing strong physical outcomes, construction and installation skills, time management, durable structural consideration, and working collaboratively as a team.
Artist / Designer, Stalled Spaces
Baxendale Design Co. / Wave Particle
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Glasgow, August 2014 to May 2015
I collaborated with Lee Ivett (Baxendale Studio) on the design and build of a temporary sanctuary space, which won a Commendation Award for Small Builds from the Glasgow Institute of Architects (GIA). The sanctuary space is located in a church ruin on Caledonia Road in Glasgow, as a place for peaceful contemplation, as well as public activities. The site is currently run by arts organization Wave Particle, and is one of a series of Stalled Spaces sites, offered to local community initiatives for creative and community-led activity by Glasgow City Council.
Artist, Live Art Showcase
Saltmarket Design / Recoat
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Edinburgh, October 2014 to 2015
Providing live art illustration for visitors and staff at the RBS Edinburgh headquarters on behalf of Saltmarket Design as part of an STV Appeal fundraiser.
Artist Facilitator / Live-Build Assistance
Saltmarket Design Co. / Recoat
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Edinburgh, November 2014 to December 2014
Assisting Baxendale Design Co. in the installation of two temporary pop-up exhibitions and shop spaces in Glasgow and Edinburgh, as part of Saltmarket Design and Recoat’s Remarket exhibition and pop-up showcase. The installation involved aiding Baxendale Studio (Lee Ivett) in the design and build process, coordinating a team of architecture students and volunteers to assist with the installation, providing artistic direction throughout the process, and assisting with the subsequent de-stall and removal of the installation following the event.
Front of House / Sales and Invigilation, Remarket
Saltmarket Design Co. / Recoat
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Glasgow, December 2014
The position involved invigilating a pop-up space curated and run by Recoat and Saltmarket Design. The role involved sales responsibilities, replenishing stock, marketing duties via online social media platforms, word of mouth, and distribution of fliers around key cultural and creative galleries, restaurants, arts facilities and public spaces, reconciling sales at the beginning and end of the day, and providing in-depth information on artists’ work featured in the pop-up exhibition.
Workshop Host (Artist), Creative Cargo
Glasgow Sculpture Studios
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Glasgow, June 2014 to December 2014
The Creative Cargo programme involved a series of workshops, taking place across local community groups in north Glasgow, as part of an ongoing programme of public events coordinated by Glasgow Sculpture Studios. Following the initial launch, workshops were held on the Creative Cargo barge, on the Glasgow Canal, hosted by a core group of GSS artist members including myself. The initial workshops developed concepts for creating a sculptural structure and outdoor workshop/exhibition space on the Creative Cargo barge, with a group from The Imaginarium in north Glasgow. We have since hosted workshops at Hamilton Hill Nursery, Lambhill Stables, The Clay Pits Nature Reserve and the GSS Community Garden with a young group from Maryhill Community Centre. The workshops explored themes presented in the GSS gallery exhibition programme, as well as the rich historical and natural heritage that surrounds the canal, through sculptural and artistic processes.
Creative Cargo Blog: http://creativecargo.org
Front of House Assistant
The Whisky Bond / Architecture and Design Scotland
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Glasgow, September 2014 to September 2014
The role involved serving drinks and pre-made dishes throughout a Pecha Kucha event, Pecha Kucha Night 21: Pretty Vacant, Architecture and Design Scotland, as well as providing information on the event and speakers in a front-of-house capacity.
Administrator / Coordinator
Baxendale Design Co. / Depot Arts on behalf of Glasgow Life
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Glasgow, June 2014 to August 2014
As part of the Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2014 programme, architect, artist and urban designer Baxendale and artist Pearl Kinnear were commissioned to design and build signage installations for the Commonwealth festival event in Glasgow Green. I organised public workshops with different schools and community groups around North Glasgow, coordinated different technical teams involved in the build of installations, assisted in sourcing project materials, and facilitated the project in general administrative duties, assisted in the building process, and coordinated volunteers who assisted during the building and installation of the signage. The workshops were held at local primary schools, youth hub Young People's Futures and Depot Arts. Local groups who wished to develop skills in art, design, sculpture, architecture and installation were also invited to take part in the installation process. The final pieces encouraged play and interaction, and have since been donated to local charity groups, Beith Community Trust, Depot Arts, and arts festival Doune The Rabbit Hole.
Images from the signage workshops and building process can be seen at the following address: http://www.jenniferargo.com/workshops.html
Workshop Host (Artist)
Baxendale (Lee Ivett), Depot Arts
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Glasgow, March 2014 to June 2014
The workshop series, led by Lee Ivett and I, involved working with young people to develop ideas for a sculptural entrance feature for the Claypits Nature Reserve in North Glasgow. The workshop series was based at Glasgow Sculpture Studios. Working with the group, we looked at new ways to use natural resources, and different means of recycling materials already on site. We worked to develop skills in model-making and design processes, and the processes involved in wood and metalwork, and provided an understanding of the way artists work within GSS. We guided the group through the processes involved in physically developing ideas; using creative techniques to experiment with materials and produce artistic responses to the project. The workshop series culminated in the development of two 1:1 scale prototypes to test on-site at the nature reserve.
Artist / Volunteer
Saltmarket Design Co.
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Glasgow, 2001 to December 2013
Creating a public artwork for Saltmarket Design's Christmas pop-up shop/gallery, as part of a live drawing event which took place over the duration of the exhibition/pop-up shop. I also facilitated the Saltmarket team in the installation of the pop-up shop, and have to assist Saltmarket in the implementation of subsequent events.
Programme Assistant
Edinburgh Printmakers
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Edinburgh, June 2013 to July 2013
The internship position involved assisting the Head of Sales and Development in implementing the programme at Edinburgh Printmakers (EP). The role included providing online and in-house marketing content, liaising with artists in the development of on-going projects, commissions, talks, events and exhibition preparation, researching international and nationally-based artists for the EP exhibition programme, building upon the existing EP funding database, events management, assisting with public workshops, sourcing materials and resources for artists and events, working as a sales representative at events, and in a front of house capacity when required, as well as day-to-day administrative duties, and in-house artist and marketing facilitation.
Fundraising Consultancy
Philanthrobeats
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Glasgow, May 2013 to June 2013
Researching possible funding strands for the Philanthrobeats team to apply to for both their long-term and short-term programme of charitable events and community-focused projects.
Fundraiser
Scottish Sculpture Workshop
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Glasgow, February 2001 to April 2013
The position involved preparing and submitting funding applications to various grant-giving bodies on a freelance basis, on behalf of Scottish Sculpture Workshop for the delivery of artist-led eco-workshop series, When The Future Was Now.
Workshop Assistant
Impact Arts (In conjunction with Market Gallery)
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Glasgow, February 2013 to March 2013
I assisted artist Roos Marie Dijkhuizen in hosting an inflatable sculpture Eco Design Workshop with young people, as part of Creative Pathways, an employability project run by Impact Arts to develop new skills, encourage problem solving, recycling, learning to use initiative, presenting ideas, working as a team and harnessing productivity and creativity.
Arts Development and Administrative Assistant
Scottish Sculpture Workshop
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Lumsden, June 2012 to February 2013
The position involved assisting the Curator of Facilities and Programming at SSW with all daily aspects of programming and artist residency coordination, such as submitting funding applications for future exhibition, workshop and community project programming; event and exhibition programming; artist facilitation; sourcing materials for events, workshops and artist-led projects; marketing; graphic design; general administrative duties including filing and website administration; liaising with artists; hosting public workshops; facilitating artist talks and symposium events; documentation of all on-going projects, and day-to-day office maintenance. After the post was completed I was hired on a freelance basis to source funding for SSW.
Front of House
SWG3
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Glasgow, September 2010 to June 2011
The responsibilities of the position included maintaining a high standard of friendly customer service, and providing information on the events, performances and exhibitions at SWG3.
Front of House / Information Assistant / Guide
IETM Glasgow: Voices, The Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA)
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Glasgow, November 2010 to December 2010
Based at the CCA, IETM Glasgow: Voices, was a networking event for international performance artists, encompassing talks and performances by Scottish artists at the Kelvingrove Museum, Tron Theatre, The Templeton Building, Stereo, The Arches, and a host of other venues. The volunteer position involved artist facilitation, sourcing materials, guiding delegates to and from various venues, implementing the smooth running of delegate's timetables, ensuring availability of fundamental information and documents, as well as providing front of house information assistance.
Fundraising Volunteer
Children In Need
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Glasgow, November 2010 to November 2010
Collecting donations for Children In Need at the SECC in Glasgow during the live broadcast event.
SKILLS
Workshop Host (12 years), Art And Design (12+ years), Childcare (6 years), Administration (12 years), Marketing (12 years), Programme Management (6 years), Arts Development (6 years), Gallery Asistant (5 years), Front Of House (5 years), Arts Education (12 years), Fundraising (12 years), Adobe Creative Suite (12+ years)
LINKS
www.jenniferargo.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniferargoart
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JenniferArgoIllustration/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferaargo/
EXHIBITIONS
May 2019 Basin Bathhouse, Common Ground, Glasgow
September 2017 Joint Exhibition, Negotiations on Form, Minus Gallery, Instrmnt, Glasgow
July 2017 Recoat: This Will Ruin Everything, The Lighthouse, Centre of Architecture and Design Scotland, Glasgow
12 – 28 May 2017 Southside Salon, Studio Pavilion, House for an Art Lover, Southside Fesival, Glasgow
19 August - 28 September 2016 Morpho_metries Solo Exhibition, Dear Green, The Briggait, Glasgow
April - May 2016 Pop-Up + Solo Exhibition, ForFIKASake, Glasgow
31 May - 30 June 2016 Glad Cafe, Solo Exhibition, Glasgow
06 November 2015 - 06 January 2016 Fault Lines, Solo Exhibition, McCune Smith's, Glasgow
17 August - 2 September 2015 Inter Alia, Solo Exhibition, Patriothall Gallery, Edinburgh
23 April - 4 May 2015 Pick Me Up Selects, Somerset House, London
11 - 20 December 2014 Remarket, Recoat x Saltmarket Design, RBS, St Andrew's Square, Edinburgh
28 November - 20 December 2014 Remarket, Recoat x Saltmarket Design, RBS, Gordon Street, Glasgow
26 September 2014 Saltmarket Design + RBS Collections (For the Edinburgh Horticultural Society), Edinburgh
20 September 2014 Art in the Clay Pits, Clay Pits Nature Reserve, Possil, North Glasgow
August 2014 Saltmarket Design, Royal Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh Festival, Edinburgh
29 August 2014 Art in the Clay Pits, Clay Pits Nature Reserve, Possil, North Glasgow
11 - 27 July 2014 Draw-In, 2|1|4|1 Collective, St Margarets House, Edinburgh
April 2014 Pond Life Laser Lamp Launch, The Lighthouse, Glasgow, in collaboration with David Ross Design
09 - 23 December 2013, Saltmarket Design, Argyle Street, Glasgow
06 - 23 December 2013 Many Presents, Virginia Gallery, Glasgow
14 - 22 September 2013 NEOS: Bennachie in the Landscape, Scottish Sculpture Workshop, Aberdeenshire
31 August 2013 Charity Art Auction (Gods Golden Acre), Shetland Isles
23 August 2013 Repographic Exhibition and Zine Release, The Old Hairdressers, Glasgow
16 August 2013 RE: Sustain Exhibition, Skillshare Dundee, Dundee
22 - 26 May 2013 COAST Festival, Banff Castle
16 - 23 Sept 2012 Open Studio Exhibition at Scottish Sculpture Workshop as part of North East Open Studios (NEOS) 2012, Aberdeenshire
15 - 24 Sept 2012 North East Open Studios (NEOS) 2012 Exhibition at VSA’s Easter Anguston Farm, Aberdeenshire
17 April - 07 May 2012 Void, The Mutual Collective, as part of Glasgow International Festival, (Site-specific installation along the River Kelvin), Glasgow
17 April - 07 May 2012 Between Two Worlds, The Mutual Collective as part of Glasgow International Festival, The Lighthouse, Glasgow
23 Sept 2011 - 10 Jan 2012 Grampian Hospitals Trust CD Art Exhibition, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen
08 - 11 Sept 2011 The Mutual Vault Art Glasgow, The Briggait, Glasgow
03 Dec 2010 The Mutual Collective, The Glue Factory, Glasgow
November 2009 Sidetracked, Limousine Bull, Aberdeen
Autumn 2008 By The Horns, Limousine Bull, Aberdeen
EDUCATION
BSc Environmental Science
Open University
2018 - Present
BA in Photographic Electronic Media
Gray's School of Art
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Aberdeen
2005 to 2010
COURSES
Training: SMHFA (Scottish Mental Health First Aid): Young People
Trongate 103, Glasgow, June 2016
Delivered by Health Improvement Team, North West Locality, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, the course delivered information on how to support young dealing people with mental health issues during workshop sessions and through creative practice.
Training: Youth Smart Training
Trongate 103, Glasgow, June 2016
Delivered by START (Strength Through ART) at Glasgow Youth Arts Hub, Trongate 103, the training course focused how to utilise different creative approaches to help tackle community issues and to overcome what could be tricky situations during youth workshops, as well as ongoing issues.
Training: Paediatric First Aid Training
Glasgow, September 2015
Run by SafeAid Training, I attended a full day course in how to practice first aid on young people, infants and adults.
Training: The PASS Programme (Personal and Social Skills for adults): Dealing with challenging behavior and managing the risks of confrontation.
Glasgow Sculpture Studios, Glasgow, June 2014
Delivered by Glasgow Sculpture Studios, we looked at how best to counter challenging behavior and recognise warning signs leading up to it during workshops and events with young people and adults.
Training: CVS: How To Prepare Successful Funding Bids
November 2012
The training session provided practical insights on how best to make a strong case for funding, legal structures and maximising profit.
Training: Cultural Enterprise Office: Starting-Up
October 2012
Delivered by Cultural Enterprise Office, the course expanded on how to start up a creative enterprise, including making a business plan, budgeting, registering as a company, forecasting expenditures and profits, submitting tax returns, marketing and how to plan for growth.
Training: CVS: Using Free Online Marketing Tools
September 2012
The one-day workshop enhanced existing skills in areas such as: how to build an effective Facebook strategy to reach new people and make existing members more loyal, using Twitter to build a network to help promote your organisation, suggestions for using online video for showcasing what your organisation does, understanding your market, an introduction to search engine optimisation (SEO) and how you can use it to improve how your website performs, a guide to setting up a Google Places page to reach people searching for your organisation, measuring the success of all the above using Google Analytics, and ideas for how to apply the above specifically to your organisation.
Training: CVS: Critical Skills for Critical Times
June 2012
The one-day workshop involved development and understanding in the following professional skill-sets: building effective relationships; exploring the characteristics of effective teams; effective and compelling communication; exploring solutions to problems; improving services through engagement, action planning and utilising networks.
GROUPS
Glasgow Sculpture Studios
October 2010 to 2019
Artist Member / Studio Holder
REFERENCES
Available on request: jennifera@btinternet.com
