In This Moment: Studio Wolffia Weaves New Realities at Noho Galleries

Until September 21, London's Noho Galleries will transform into a vibrant canvas of perception and pattern, hosting "In This Moment," the latest solo exhibition from Studio Wolffia, helmed by the visionary artist and designer Emily Jackson. 

This captivating (and colorful) showcase promises a journey into the intricate dance between our inner worlds and the external patterns we subconsciously absorb, manifesting in a bold collection of abstract paintings, objects, and a significant delve into innovative textile art.

The innate human desire to impose order on the chaos of life finds a compelling voice in Jackson's work. As the philosopher Alfred North Whitehead observed, "Art is the imposing of a pattern on experience, and our aesthetic enjoyment is recognition of the pattern." Studio Wolffia's creations are a testament to this maxim, inviting viewers to playfully reimagine how they perceive the mundane. 

"All I’m seeing everywhere is patterns," Jackson notes, her keen eye finding inspiration in everything from "train seat fabric, with a shopping bag sat on top," to the geometry of "trees and buildings, sofas and floors."

The name "Wolffia" itself – after the world's smallest flowering plant – is symbolic of the studio’s ethos: modest beginnings with an impact that grows through repetition and number. It reflects Jackson's multidisciplinary approach, her openness to collaboration, and her intention to transcend the traditional canvas, all while upholding an emotional imperative: to spread joy. This philosophy, rooted in Eudaimonia – purposeful happiness – imbues her work with a distinctive energy and resilience.

"In This Moment" sees Jackson expanding her practice with a particular focus on textiles, a medium she describes as "deeper, more enveloping, more tactile and absorbing." Moving beyond the static confines of painting or rigid sculpture, her new pieces curve, wrap, and move, brought to life through the unique method of tufting. Using a gun-like machine to loop and cut yarn, she creates completely unique, one-of-one objects that exude their own sense of life and vibrancy. "The tufting process means that any given fabric is still unique, a 1/1 collectible, and leaning into design gives it functionality too," Jackson explains, blurring the line between fine art and functional design, creating pieces that invite a deeper, more intimate interaction.

The exhibition cohesively presents an entry into Studio Wolffia’s evolving visual language. Abstract curves, lines, blobs, and cut-outs brim with an almost cellular energy, echoing thoughts, feelings, and moments from Jackson's own psyche. These forms become an internal and external mirror of her present, a reflection further deepened by the deeply personal and symbolic titles drawn from her daily journals.

Colour is equally central, delivered with a fearless yet balanced palette that spans the full pop spectrum – from acid pinks and rich royal blues to matte peaches and textured mustards. The ease with which these hues are applied, often in fast layers, speaks to a process rooted in play and immediacy rather than over-analysis, presenting a sense of visual instinct that is both exhilarating and accessible.

Abstraction serves as the unifying methodology for Jackson, offering true freedom to represent both process and subject simultaneously. "It is a true reflection of that exact moment and open for anyone to interpret as they see fit," she clarifies. In this way, the abstract forms a mirror to our inner selves, connecting with viewers on an intuitive, effortless level that transcends the need for verbal interpretation. It’s an aesthetic that simply delights.

"This is a true body of work that is cohesive through all the paintings and the textiles combined," Jackson reflects on the exhibition. "The title 'In This Moment' suggests and invites those who are viewing it to step into my current lived experience. Through my journaling that accompanies all my work, I have landed in this place of gratitude and reflection and to be present in the now."

Emily Jackson’s journey from painting into textiles, wood, ceramics, and now wool, has opened new dimensions for Studio Wolffia. The cross-pollination of mediums, she insists, enriches her entire process. "I’m informed about painting from tufting and vice versa. I personally wouldn’t ever want to just be working with one medium for life; I think there is a lot of growth in the challenges and problems that need solving. Seeing the language on the wall, on curved surfaces, on objects - it’s all speaking to each other."

Inspired by everyday objects and the bold spirits of abstract artists like Shirley Jaffe and Bridget Riley, Studio Wolffia's "In This Moment" is an invitation to pause, observe, and connect. It's an opportunity to experience art that celebrates resilience, embraces joy, and encourages us to find beauty and meaning in the patterns of our own unique present.

"In This Moment" by Studio Wolffia runs until September 21st at Noho Galleries, London UK.