Interview with Jane Gowans

q)Please introduce yourself.

a)Hello, My name is Jane Gowans and I 

am a Scottish contemporary jeweller.

q) Where do you live and work? 

a)I live and work in Dundee which 

is on the east coast of Scotland.

q) How would you describe your work 

to someone who has never seen it? 

a)My work is a cultural observation that 

looks at the importance of touch as

a form of communication. The focus 

is upon the hands which are the main

element of my work. They are all 

wearable and made using silicone rubber,

precios metals and freshwater pearls. 

q) How did you start in the arts? 

How/when did you realize you were an 

artist? 

a)I have always been creative. I love 

making things so it has been an obvious

progression from a young age. I think 

I started in the arts as far back as

primary school.

q) What are your favorite 

art materials and why? 

a)I don't think I have a favourite. 

I love experimenting with all different

things.

q) What/who influences you most? 

a)I am influenced by lots of things. 

I would say european art jewellers such

as Leonor Hipolito and Gerd Rothmann 

to name a few. I also love the work of

Lina Peterson. My friends and family as 

they are all very creative, in

particular my partner Lyle McCance 

who is a contemporary furniture maker

and my friend Hannah Livingston who 

won the new designers jewellery prize

for 2009.

q) Describe a typical day of art 

making for you. 

a)n/a

q) Do you have goals, specific things 

you want to achieve with your art 

or in your career as an artist? 

a)I would like to do something for 

a fashion magazine as my pieces are 

very large. I would also love to have 

a solo exhibtion.

q) How long does it typically take 

you to finish a piece? 

a)On average I would say 1 week.

q) Do you enjoy selling your pieces, 

or are you emotionally attached to 

them? 

a)I think I am slightly attatched because 

they are totally bespoke and the

pieces will never be made again so 

that is quite sad but equally I can't

wear them all so I don't mind if 

someone else is getting joy from them.

q) Is music important to you? If so, 

what are some things you're 

listening to now? 

a)Yes. I love music. It is so inspiring. 

I play the piano and sing a little

so music features heavily in my life. 

I like lots of classical music my

favourite is Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. 

I also like bands like Elbow and

Kings of Leon but my favourite thing 

to listen to is Regina Spektor. 

q) What theories or beliefs do 

you have regarding creativity or the 

creative process? 

a)No not really. I just fell my 

creativity and my working process is

something very natural.

q) What do you do (or what do you enjoy doing) 

when you're not creating? 

a)I enjoy seeing friends. Camping, 

walking, cycling, partying, eating,

listening to music, lots of things. 

q) Do you have any projects or 

shows coming up that you are 

particularly excited about? 

a)My work is going to be in Diana Porter's 

shop in Bristol from the 1st of

September as part of her pick of 

New Designers 2009.

q) Do you follow contemporary art scenes? 

If so, how? What websites, 

magazines, galleries do you prefer? 

a)I like www.klimto2.net, Dazed and 

Confused Magazine and the Tate Modern

when I get the chance to visit.

q) Ask yourself a question you'd 

like to answer, and answer it. 

a)What will I have for lunch? 

Pea soup.

q) Any advice for aspiring artists? 

a)Do what you want creatively don't 

just accept restraints, challenge them!

q) Where can we see more of 

your work online? 

a) www.janegowans.co.uk