Sam Jacobs and the world of knots
- Sam Jacobs
- 26. März
- 3 Min. Lesezeit
Aktualisiert: 27. März
Interview with Sam Jacobs
1. Please tell us something about your background and your art journey so far.
I was born in Dorset, spending much of my time on Poole Quay. My ancestors were net makers in Bridport so knot tying must be in the blood!
I studied Animation at Arts University Bournemouth and embarked on a successful career in the animation industry, producing work for various TV channels and screening my work at many prestigious animation and film festivals around the world.
I hold a Higher and Further Education (HEFCE) Teaching qualification. Teaching gave me the opportunity to share my animation and digital media skills to students of all ages, diverse backgrounds and abilities, especially those who encountered obstacles to learning.
I co-founded and managed Stilton Studios with my brother Andrew. A multimedia business that offered high-quality digital design solutions for clients across the UK and abroad.
My artistic journey took a new direction in 2020, when the Covid pandemic made me re-evaluate everything. I gave up my full-time media job to fully immerse myself in the world of knots.
Silver Orb was my first creation using the techniques I had taught myself in lockdown. I was awarded Finalist in Sculpture ( Top 5 from over 5000 applicants) by the Visual Artists Association (VAA) for my Orb. It encouraged me to pursue my ideas further and here we are now!
2. Can you tell us more about the theme in your art and your inspiration?
My ideas come from interventions with the materials and from my life events - the forms I create represent aspects of different things I experience in life. I am also researching and unearthing historical and traditional knotting techniques, re-working and re-contextualising them in my contemporary practice. I hope that this will give these heritage crafts the recognition as well as my acknowledgment as a sculptor for my use of rope and string as a sculptural medium. I am also inspired to create encounters for people to touch my works, allowing for tactile experiences.
3. How does your art life impact other parts of your life?
Its not that I am always working but... I think an artists brain works differently, in that inspiration can hit you at any time and when you least expect it. I always have a sketchbook near or failing that my phone to jot down notes or scribbles to retain that thought process before it gets lost to distractions. A lot of the time I'm either thinking of ideas, problem solving about a process or actually working physically on a sculpture oh!... and being a mum to 2 kids!
4. Is the artist life lonely? Please share your thoughts and experiences.
My life has the wild highs of the Private Views which I love, meeting lots of different people, the air always has that inspirational buzz about it, and then there's the working on your own actually creating the sculptures, but I wouldn't call that lonely I would call that solace. I enjoy both equally and neither would be fun without the other.
5. What are you working on at the moment and are there any upcoming events you would like to talk about?
I am currently researching and developing my practice towards more Recyclable, Sustainable and Regenerative methods and using more unconventional materials with a goal of developing and maintaining an environmentally sustainable art practice.
Im excited to announce that I will be exhibiting my work along with ceramic sculptor David Millidge at RHS Hyde Hall, 7-16th November 2025, 10am-3pm, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom, CM3 8ET
My work will be focused on how knots can be used in every day life. It aims to be a very tactile experience for all ages!
Also, I’ve just had some amazing news regarding my practice that I have been awarded the Develop Your Creative Practice ( DYCP) Grant from Arts Council England, Researching & Developing Sustainability in Sculpture: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/dycp
Website: https://samjacobs.co.uk