Kurt Jackson

Kurt Jackson is a British painter whose large canvases reflect a concern with natural history, ecology and environmental issues. Born in Blandford, Dorset, the son of two painters, he developed an early interest in natural history and landscape.

Kurt Jackson MA (Oxon) DLitt (Hon) RWA was born is 1961 in Blandford, Dorset. He graduated from St Peter’s College, Oxford with a degree in Zoology in 1983. While there, he spent most of his time painting and attending courses at Ruskin College of Art, Oxford. On gaining his degree he travelled extensively and independently, painting wherever he went. He travelled to the Arctic alone and across Africa with his wife, Caroline. They moved to Cornwall in 1984 where they still live and work.

A dedication to and celebration of the environment is intrinsic to both his politics and his art and a holistic involvement with his subjects provides the springboard for his formal innovations. Jackson's practice involves both plein air and studio work and embraces an extensive range of materials and techniques including mixed media, large canvases, print making, sculpture and the written word.

Over the past thirty years Jackson has had numerous art publications released to accompany his exhibitions. Jackson regularly contributes to radio and television and presents environmentally informed art documentaries for the BBC.

In 2015 the Jackson Foundation Gallery was launched by Kurt and Caroline, a new ambitious art space situated in the centre of St Just, Britain’s most westerly town. This foundation essentially exhibits Kurt Jackson’s work, usually in collaboration with national and locally based NGOs and charities in the environmental sector.

He has been Artist in Residence on the Greenpeace ship Esperanza, at the Eden Project and at Glastonbury Festival since 1999. He has an Honorary Doctorate (DLitt) from Exeter University and is an Honorary Fellow of St Peter's College, Oxford University.

To see videos about Kurt's work please click here

See Kurt's exhibition 'Frenchman's Creek'

View a catalogue of Kurt's work for Inspiring Landmarks