"Blue Monkey" Painting

BIOGRAPHY Brian Jackson was born in 1962 in Corby, Northamptonshire. Following the successful completion of a Foundation course at Tresham College, Kettering, he studied Expressive Arts at Brighton Polytechnic, exploring the possibilities as a painter and as an actor, before continuing his studies at Nottingham Polytechnic where he furthered his skills as a painter. His interest in music has been a continuing influence upon his work, both as a guitarist and song-writer himself, and in the collaborative work he has undertaken with his (now ex) wife, Jenny Jackson, who is a composer. Brian became a full time professional artist in 1994 working from his studio at Yorkshire Artspace in Sheffield, for over 10 years: he is now at Bloc Studios, Sheffield. Much of his time is dedicated to the production of his own work which he has exhibited extensively throughout the U.K and abroad. Solo exhibitions include the Salt House Gallery, St. Ives, Cornwall (2002) and a joint exhibition with Keith Hayman at Diorama, London (2004). Brian had a solo exhibition called Resolution (2006) at Yorkshire ArtSpace Soc. Ltd, and a joint exhibition with Eva Belson called Translation (2007) in Stamford, and he had a highly acclaimed solo exhibition at the Alfred East Gallery, kettering, Northants; in March 2007. In 1993 Brian completed a Post-graduate Certificate in Education at Bretton Hall which led him, initially, into teaching Art in secondary schools in and around Sheffield. However, it was not long before Brian began to employ his teaching skills in more artist-led educational projects, such as the 150 metre-long mural for the Sheffield Wildlife Trust (2001). As well as the educational work, Brian has produced many pieces of Public Art, and was closely involved with Doncaster's "˜Quality Streets' town centre renewal scheme in 1999-2000, producing a "˜Time-Line' in over eight hundred hand-carved bricks along both sides of the High Street, depicting local history on one side and world history on the other. Occasional television appearances have included interviews with local news networks and an appearances on the "˜Harry Hill Show' (Avalon productions. 2003); and a part in the childrens' television series "˜Adams Family Tree' (Y.T.V.