Steph Jansen
Steph Jansen’s felt ‘paintings’ are made with dynamic, painterly layers of fibres, threads and fabrics. Inspired by her fascination with tucked away, often ancient, paths in the landscape, as well as the richness of her materials.
Biography
With landscapes as bold as they are abundant with trees, my work often fools the eye from a distance, resembling paintings. Yet it is created entirely from natural fibres, threads, and fabrics, felted together with warm soapy water and friction. With a background in fine art, I’ve always been fascinated by textiles, and my inspiration springs from the vibrant yarns and luxurious silks of my studio stash, as much as from walks in the woods with my sketchbook.
I aim to create striking contrasts within my work, blending vivid bursts of colour and form with subtle, earthy tones and delicate details. My goal is to capture fleeting moments—such as the embrace of sunlight through leaves—while honouring the enduring stories woven into our landscapes, the whispers of past lives beneath our feet.
It’s wonderful to hear viewers express how they feel drawn into my scenes, recognizing their own special places. I love that my art also invites tactile exploration, encouraging fingertips to trace paths along its surface, forging connections beyond sight alone.
I have a BA(Hons) in Fine Art with Art History from Goldsmiths College, University Of London. My work was longlisted for the Visual Art Open 2023, shortlisted for the Harley Open 2024, and is in private collections in the US, as well as the UK. I regularly show at art fairs and trails in the East Midlands, and have had work included in gallery exhibitions in Sheffield, Melbourne, Cromford and Leicester.
