Sheffield Based Artist Zoe Genders talks to Volta Creative

03 Sep

Sheffield Based Artist Zoe Genders

photo credit Chris Saunders

Sheffield Based Artist Zoe Genders

We first came across Zoe’s work when we were working on a new website for Dyson Place, Zoe had been commissioned to produce a piece of wall art which we really liked, so much so that we also included an image of the wall art on this years Quirky Calendar.

So we thought it was about time she was introduced to our friends, supporters and customers. We asked Zoe to answer 10 of our questions and here is what she had to say:

Volta: Who or what inspired you to do what you do?

Zoe: I’ve always been into Art and Making from a very young age. At school I struggled a lot with the academic subjects so naturally veered towards practical and creative subjects. I find the papercut work really meditative and mindful and I love doing the murals because they bring a big pop of colour to a space. I like to create an escape of some form – whether that’s in a tiny scene or a big painting, it doesn’t matter, as long as it takes you somewhere else for a bit.

Volta: Were you self-taught or have you had formal training?

Zoe: I come from a pretty creative family so I was always around art and music and creative people.

I went to Chesterfield College after school and studied Photography and Ceramics, then did a year at De Montfort in Leicester on a Footwear Design Course. At the time I couldn’t quite settle so I moved to Brighton for a few years, ran a few pubs and enjoyed living by the sea.

I moved to Sheffield in 2008 and started an Animation Degree at Sheffield Hallam University in 2009, I graduated with a first in 2013.

Volta: If you could choose one famous person to own one of your pieces of work, who would it be?

Zoe: I don’t mind who it was as long as they liked it. John Grant has one of my insects, he’s a pretty incredible human.

Volta: What did you do before you did what you do now?

Zoe: After uni I worked as a Prop Maker for CBBC and CBeebies for 2 years, which definitely honed my making skills and gave me the confidence to start building and making my own work. It was great to be surrounded by people who all had incredible creative skills, and exciting to see things I’d made on TV, the downside for me was the travelling – I was happy living in Sheffield.

Then the tutor from the Animation course at Hallam asked if I’d be interested in doing a bit of teaching (Cheers Mel) – I’d specialised in Stop-Motion Animation and was really into making small scale Props and Sets – so I started as a Visiting Lecturer and am now an Associate Lecturer.

Volta: How did your current style develop and how do you see it developing in the future?

Zoe: I think you’re always evolving as an artist, always pushing and seeing where things take you. The fact I work with so many different mediums means I get to explore on so many different levels and I love that. The two (paper and mural) initially seemed so different, but having had the show at Artcade Gallery this month, I have been able to see how it connects, which has been amazing.

I love to use colour and simple shapes to create different patterns or textures. I’m looking forward to seeing where I go next, I’m in the process of making a large-scale Jellyfish for a mapping project and will no doubt be influenced by what happens with that!

Volta: If you’re not originally from Sheffield, why did you decide to settle here?

Zoe: I grew up in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, so not that far away. I always preferred Sheffield over Derby for ‘nearest big city’ as a teenager, and my mum worked here for many years as an Art Psychotherapist so I was familiar with Sheffield. I remember coming to Rise at the Leadmill as a sneaky 17 year old with my mates from College!

After living in Brighton, coming to Sheffield was like a less pumped up version without a beach. I love the pace here. When you get off a train down south, there’s a speedy slip stream you fall into immediately, whereas here it’s more like a gentle stroll. I love being by the Peaks and it’s a great central location country-wise too. A super friendly city.

Volta: What influence has living in Sheffield had on your creativity and how you approach your work?

Zoe: I think the people I have met and worked with along the way have shaped me massively, encouraged me to continue doing what I do, and push it further. The creative community in Sheffield is a very nurturing one and that is something really special. The surrounding areas give plenty in terms of space to walk and think, and the landscape, visually, is obviously pretty incredible – not just the Peaks too, the industrial side of things is also really interesting.

Volta: Have you ever made a mistake while creating a piece that you learned a lesson from?

Zoe: Of course! Life is just one big lesson isn’t it? There’s only so much information you can glean from watching and talking to others. You can research something until the end of time and something completely unexpected will come up.

Volta: What piece of your own work gives you the most satisfaction and why?

Zoe: I’ve been making a bunch of flowers during the exhibition and have found great satisfaction in that. I generally am really into whichever project I’m working on at the time – I think you have to be in order to continue making it.

photo credit Danni Maibaum

Volta: Do other areas of creativity, such as music, have any influence on your work?

Zoe: Not directly but I listen to a lot of music when I’m working, loads of different genres. My brother is a musician so I’ve spent a lot of time with musically creative people which often leads to conversations about visuals and videos. I toured with Tunng in 2018 and performed the visuals for them which was loads of fun, my housemate at the time was making them but couldn’t make that part of the tour so I got roped in. I would definitely do it again.