On and Beyond

On and Beyond the Boot exhibition - Israel

After over a year of pandemic postponement I am very happy to share the news of the latest exhibition that I am part of is now open for visitors in at The Farm Gallery in Holon, Israel.

On and Beyond the Boot exhibition is curated by Yamit Newman and her partner Pazit Keidar.

'This exhibition deals with boots as a fascinating tool that examines material, conceptual and cultural process. A journey between traditional process, futuristic craft and virtual design. A visual discussion about the future of design, on physical verses abstract boundaries with a frequently changing reality’ -Words by Yamit Newman

Full Circle Boots and components from Jo Cope artefacts archive exhibited at The farm gallery, Israel.

Films and digital artworks by Jo Cope on show until January 2022.

Spotted in Israel by footwear designer Kobi Levi. On and Beyond exhibition poster, featuring image of Jo Cope’s Full Circle boots.

Dyslexia: Beautiful Minds

Amazing Dyslexia - insideout project - Design Museum London

18th Aug 2021

Amazing Dyslexia founders Kate Power and Kathy forsyth brought together a community of 132 beautiful dyslexic creatives portraits to celebrate the strengths and supper powers which can be harnessed within this neurological difference.

I was very happy to be represented as part of this event - myself with my own dyslexia story to tell; both highs and lows. Today I like to think of myself as an advocate and supporter of others with dyslexia, particularly in my work across universities- where students are starting to get to grip with how they can use their difference for extra creative advantage!

In my own practice as a visual artist, being dyslexic is a big bonus in many areas including: imagination, Minds eye designing and also being able to create an alternative powerful visual language which can speak in far more layers than any words.

For more information about the inside out project at the London Design Museum -> Click here

For more information about the brilliant work of the Amazing Dyslexia project -> Click here

London Craft Week 2021

London Craft Week Fashion Artefact in Focus- online event.

I am very pleased to have the opportunity to celebrate the graduating Masters students from MA Fashion Artefacts and Footwear in this live webinar event which forms part of this years London Craft Week shedule. If you would like to join us for the discussion please follow the link to book a place: TICKETS

UAL website Official Text:

MA Fashion Artefact is a unique course at London College of Fashion, UAL, dedicated to developing and making contemporary fashion products. Traditional craftsmanship and industrial technologies are studied and mastered to a high quality of making. Students’ ideas and philosophies culminate in both wearable and non-wearable objects that assert new meanings to challenge, critique and redefine accessories, reflecting and influencing the world in which we live. 

A showreel of selected film and imagery featured on the London Craft Week website offers an insight into how they explore themes that address material and critical culture, the body and the role of objects within fashion.

To support the showreel, a live panel discussion explores the focus of Artefacts in fashion today. Panelists include Naomi Filmer, course leader for Fashion Artefact; Georgina Goodman, senior lecturer at LCF; Jo Cope, a graduate from Fashion Artefact; and Judith Clark from the centre for Fashion Curation at LCF and ambassador for Michelangelo Foundation.

Walking on Water

A short documentary created at Venice Design Biennial 2021

A short documentary about the making of Walking on Water -a live performance for the Venice Design Biennial 2021 which took place on the roof top of T Fondaco overlooking the Rialto Bridge.

The project create and concieved by Jo Cope, looks at the history of the popular class of women from the 16th century as well as the Venitian women of today. The project celebrates and pays homage to the history and making of the Furlane slipper with project partners Peidaterre - the oldest slipper makers in Venice.

With thanks to VDB curators Francesca Giubilei and Luca Berta who invited me to take part and to the performers, venue and film makers at kinonautstudio.

Venice Design Biennial 2021

‘Women Walk on Water’ at The Venice Design Biennial 2021

Walking on Water - Conceptual shoes - Jo Cope 2021

Walking on Water is a live performance by UK artist and conceptual shoe designer Jo Cope which will take place on the roof top of T Fondaco over looking the water and the famous Rialto bridge for the Venice Design Biennial.

This all female performance including dancers, shoe makers and an operatic singers will bring to life Jo Copes unique conceptual fashion interpretation of the book 'Working Women in Early Modern Venice' by Monica Chojnacka.

The performance has been developed over the last year in conjunction with VDB to celebrate two key aspects of Venetian history- Its women and its most historical slipper.

As part of this project and performance Jo Cope has collaborated with Piedaterre the oldest slipper makers in Venice, situated centre stage will be a female artisan who will be hand crafting Furlane slippers while dancers perform around her. The performance which will take place for the public between 21-22nd May on the the roof top of T Fondaco 6 times per day will be accompanied by renowned Italian soprano singer Lieta Naccari and four female dancers of diverse age and ethnic origins all who currently live in Venice.

Furlane Slippers by Piedaterre - project partners in Venice

Walking on Water performance on the roof top of T Fondaco Venice

Walking on Water performance by Jo Cope - photography Veronika Motulko