Twist of Cain. Artwork

Born and raised in a small town on the outskirts of Oldham, Jimi Backhouse showed an early interest in the arts, spending hours drawing and painting as a child. This passion only grew as they got older, leading them to pursue a career in the arts. Currently based in Manchester, Jimi draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including the natural world, literature, and contemporary art. They are particularly influenced by the work of Rembrandt and Schiele, whose use of colour and texture have informed their own approach to art-making. Previously working with oil, Jimi works now primarily digitally, using a combination of traditional and contemporary techniques to create works that are both visually striking and emotionally resonant. They are drawn to the medium's versatility and the way that it allows them to layer and build up colors over time. While Jimi is largely self-taught, they have also received formal education and tutelage in the arts, studying at Manchester School of Art and apprenticing under Mieczyslaw Kasprysk. This combination of self-directed learning and formal training has allowed them to develop a unique artistic voice that is both informed by tradition and unafraid to take risks. Over the course of their career, Jimi has worked with a number of other artists and creatives, including Anna Brooks and Samuel S. Woodson. These collaborations have allowed them to explore new techniques and approaches to art-making, as well as to gain exposure to new audiences and communities. Jimi has won a number of prizes and awards for their work, including the Wadden Emerging Artist Prize and the Penguin Watercolour Prize. These accolades have helped to establish them as one of the most promising young artists working today. Their work has been exhibited in galleries and museums across the country, including The Woodhouse Gallery, Zuhaus Berlin, and Blueprint. They have also participated in a number of group shows, showcasing their work alongside other emerging artists. Several private and public collections include Jimi Backhouse's work, including the Price collection and the RCS Camden. Their work has been praised for its technical skill, emotional depth, and ability to capture the beauty and complexity of the world around us.