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Meet Beverley-Jane.
Beverley-Jane Stewart is an artist with a profound passion for exploring cultural identity and history through her visual storytelling. She believes that understanding one’s heritage is essential to understanding oneself.
Her work started with Jewish architecture, offering a window into how Jewish communities have integrated into broader societies over time while maintaining their distinct cultural identity. Through her research and artistic practice, Beverley-Jane delves into the Jewish experience, particularly focusing on the remnants of European Jewry and the Holocaust, examining how these historical legacies continue to shape the present.
More recently, her horizons have broadened to document the experiences of displaced communities all over the world.
Beverley-Jane describes herself as a "visual writer," weaving intricate narratives of community survival, the interaction between private and public spaces, the power of prayer, and the integration of displaced communities within multicultural societies.
Her artworks are an interpretation of extensive research, which involves personal visits to historical sites, studying archives and books, and conducting interviews. The use of architectural detail is a hallmark of her compositions, grounding her pieces in history while imbuing them with a deep sense of place and belonging.
Beverley-Jane earned an honours degree in Education and Art from London University, where she initially focused on abstract art. This foundation laid the groundwork for her future as a visual storyteller. Over the years, while honing her skills, she was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and became a member of the Croydon Art Society for professional artists. Her unique ability to blend fact and emotion allows her to tell the story of Jewish communities from the past to the present, encapsulating Jewish history as a rollercoaster in time.
Her work has been commissioned by prominent institutions such as United Synagogue and Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. She has been praised by art critics, including Jenni Frazer of The Times of Israel, who stated, “Beverley-Jane goes beyond the buildings themselves, surrounding them with a rich cornucopia of local history and community.”
Ram Ozeri, Director of the Jerusalem Biennale, also commended her work, calling it “impressive and very relevant.” Her pieces from the 2017 Jerusalem Biennale were displayed in the Knesset, where they caught the eye of renowned historian Simon Schama, and one of her works was permanently installed in the Mayor of Jerusalem’s office.
In 2020, Beverley-Jane had a solo exhibition at Tel Aviv University, further solidifying her reputation as a leading artist in exploring Jewish heritage.
Rona Towzinger of Israel Today admired her ability to connect emotion with social history in the architecture of the synagogue, quoting Beverley-Jane: “Jews don’t live in a vacuum.” This reflects Beverley-Jane’s approach to art, which constantly seeks to connect the Jewish experience with the broader tapestry of society and history.
In addition to her traditional oil paintings, Beverley-Jane has been experimenting with new materials, including plexiglass, concrete, and engraving on wood, while also developing her techniques as a printmaker. Her ability to work with diverse mediums enriches her storytelling, bringing depth and innovation to her compositions.
In our interview, I explored Beverley-Jane's work and created her fantasy cultural year from the answers to 10 questions. Expect surprises, anecdotes and detours.
Navigating Rejections and Building Confidence in the Arts
Beverley-Jane shared insights into the challenges of being an artist, particularly navigating rejections. She emphasised the emotional impact of rejection but also spoke about how it has shaped her resilience and growth.
Mark encouraged her to view rejections as stepping stones toward success, highlighting the importance of persistence and confidence in one’s work. Beverley-Jane reflected on her struggles with rejection, noting the importance of building a support network and continuously promoting her work.
Strategies for Promoting Beverley-Jane's Exhibition
Beverley-Jane and Mark discussed strategies for promoting her exhibition in Romania, a significant event in her career. She expressed difficulties in identifying key decision-makers who could help elevate her profile. Mark advised her to focus on those who had previously supported her work and to leverage those success stories in her outreach efforts. Beverley-Jane noted that her new work is more universal, not necessarily tied to her personal history, which she believes will appeal to a broader audience.
Historical Perspective Art and Instagram Strategy
The conversation shifted to Beverley-Jane's identity as a historical perspective artist. Together, they devised a plan to use Instagram as the primary platform for sharing her work, with regular updates to engage her audience.
Beverley-Jane’s Immigrant Stories and Art
Beverley-Jane expressed her deep interest in the stories of immigrants and displaced communities, a subject close to her heart. Her own historical perspective as a Jewish artist informs this work, allowing her to create pieces that resonate with the emotional and social struggles of immigrants. She mentioned her successful solo exhibition in Romania, which traveled to London and Israel, and her intention to expand this work to the United States. She also shared plans to collaborate with an award-winning writer on this project, further integrating visual and literary storytelling.
Beverley-Jane’s New Project Discussion
One highlight of the conversation was her discussion of a new project focusing on the displacement of Jews and their journey from Israel to Spain and Romania. Mark was particularly impressed by her use of perspective, both in a literal and metaphorical sense, and how she captures the multifaceted experience of migration. Beverley-Jane’s play with perspective adds depth to her storytelling, making her art not just a visual experience but an emotional and intellectual one as well.
Perspective, Art, and Imaginative Exercise
The importance of perspective, both in art and in life, was a recurring theme in the interview. Beverley-Jane stressed how shifting one's perspective can entirely change the emotional impact of a piece of art. Mark facilitated a fun, imaginative exercise where Beverley-Jane visualised herself in the Great Synagogue in Bucharest, emphasising how space, architecture, and memory influence her creative process.
Future Plans and New York Research Trip
As part of the interview Mark invited Beverley-Jane on a year-long fantasy year of culture. Beverley-Jane revealed an desire for trip to New York, where she would explore art related to displaced communities. She is particularly drawn to New York’s multicultural landscape and the rich opportunities for collaboration with museums and scholars. Inspired by Susan Jeffers’ book Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, Beverley-Jane shared how this philosophy has guided her to take bold steps in her career, even when facing self-doubt.
Music Preferences and Cultural Interests
When asked about her music preferences, Beverley-Jane shared that she listens to instrumental and modern classical music while working, which helps her focus. In a hypothetical scenario, she imagined attending a traditional ballet performance in New York, a genre she finds soothing and inspirational due to its grace and structure. This interest in classical art forms mirrors her reverence for history and tradition, which also flows through her visual art.
New York Dining, Entertainment, and Art
Beverley-Jane and Mark also envisioned future adventures in New York, from enjoying Middle Eastern cuisine to attending a tennis match. They discussed visiting cutting-edge digital art galleries, where Beverley-Jane’s interest in contemporary forms of expression like virtual reality exhibitions could expand her creative horizons.
Final Thoughts
Beverley-Jane's passion for documenting the experience of displaced communities throughout history and her innovative approach to visual storytelling make her a unique voice in the art world. She continues to explore new media and subjects, pushing the boundaries of her craft. Her journey is one of resilience, creativity, and a deep connection to history. As she prepares for future exhibitions and international projects, Beverley-Jane Stewart remains a powerful storyteller whose art bridges the past, present, and future.
Examples of Beverley-Jane's work
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Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM
Chief Culture Vulture
Arts & Culture Network
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Chief Culture Vulture
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