Miss Jessie Edwards-Thomas

Qualifications:

Masters of Photography, UAL; PGCert - Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, UWE

Position:

Senior Lecturer in Photography

Department:

College of Arts, Technology and Environment

About me

I am a visual artist, primarily concerned with ideas of care, belonging and community. Themes of alienation and political structural interrogation are key to my practice. I utilise the what-ifs of fiction and imagination to explore these ideas through storytelling.

I am currently undergoing a CATE funded pHD exploring our contemporary understanding of care through the maternal lens. 

Deeply connected to celebrating community, I use photography to build moments of connection and conversation, particularly in supporting marginalised voices. My practice has developed through my experience working in the homeless pathway and the mental health sector.  For example I was commissioned by The Bristol Photo festival, Arnolfini & Golden Key to work collaboratively with people experiencing homelessness to explore issues of housing and wellbeing in Bristol. This was exhibited at The Arnolfini, Bristol, in 2021. 

My community-led process has resulted in working with programmes such as, Springboard Studios -  Falmouth University, Vareki Arts Outreach programme - Royal West of England Academy, Arts Well, Cornwall and Building our Home - InBetweenTime, etc. 

I am a member of the UWE Visual Culture Research centre (VCRG) and the UWE Photography Research group.

Area of expertise

Recent Projects

2025 - CATE funded pHD (UWE)

Exploring care through the maternal lens

2024 Out of Sight & Out of Mind

Archival commission exploring labour, motherood and care.

Ffotogallery, Arts Council Wales

2021 - 2024 New Starter Research Scheme (UWE)

A photographic body of work exploring issues of womanhood, labour and digital technologies. 

2023 TraumaPorn: White Noise Therapy Symposium, Bristol

Organised symposium and exhibition considering conversations about care and mental health. Funded by Photography Research group. 

2023 - 2024 Dreamlines: Picturing Bristol High Streets

A collaborative photographic project, working with an elderly performance group and creative practitioner Kelly o’Brien to explore what community looks like in our city spaces today.  Funded by Historic England, Photowork’s Picturing High streets and Bristol Photo Festival. See Picturing  High streets collection, Historic England.

Awards & Commissions

2024 - It is what it is , Commission, Ffotogallery, Cardiff

2023 - Picturing Englands High Streets, Commission, Bristol Photofestival, Historic England & Photoworks, Bristol

2023 - Arts Health Early Career Research grant, University College London & University of Toronto 

2023 - Changemaker of the year nomination, SU Teaching Awards, UWE 

2022 - Vareki, Commission, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol

2021 - Shortlisted for Golden Key Great Practice Award for collaborative practice

2021 - Blueprint: Housing and Wellbeing, Commission, Arnolfini, & Bristol Photofestival, Bristol

2020 - Exceptional Support Beyond Teaching Award nomination, Students Union, UOG

2020 - Most inspiring Lecturer Award nomination, Students Union, UOG

2019 -  Building our Homes, Commission, InbetweenTime, Bristol

2019 - The Biscuit Factory's Open Contemporary Young Artist Award

2019 - Shortlisted for The ESPY Photo Award

2018 - The Sproxton Award for Photography

2018 - Highly commended for The Photofusion Award

2016 - The Slim Hewitt Award for Photography

2014 - Shortlisted for The British Life Photography Awards

Publications

Publications loading...