ARTIST STATEMENT

Jessica is a British-Australian artist living in Brighton, UK. Her work explores the tension between the natural and the man-made, blending traditional figurative painting with the bold aesthetics of pop art, graphic forms, and vibrant colour. Rooted in a diverse background spanning environmental policy, managing big data projects, and classical studies, her practice is driven by a fascination with how humanity both shapes and is shaped by the objects it creates.

Throughout history, civilisations have been defined by the artifacts they leave behind. Today, material goods are produced on an unprecedented scale—objects so ubiquitous they become part of the visual and cultural landscape. Jessica’s work interrogates this relationship, questioning whether these manufactured forms are an extension of the natural world or exist separately from it. By placing classical figurative painting in dialogue with mass-produced, pop-infused elements, she examines the evolving interplay between identity, consumption, and environment.

Jessica has exhibited in both Australia and the UK, with her first solo show in Brighton in 2024. Her work was shortlisted for the Wales Contemporary in 2022 and longlisted for the Women in Art Prize in 2023 and 2024.

Selected Past Exhibitions and Competitions

  • Transport for London, Colleague art exhibition, Corporate Offices, October, 2024.

  • Women in Art Prize 2024, pre selected

  • ‘From Florence to Pop’ Solo Show. 12 May to 7 June 2024, Yellow Book (in collaboration with Sweet Venues Brighton)

  • ‘AIR Open’(online exhibition), AIR Gallery website https://www.artsteps.com/view/64b7ce720fb6add0eb0b4c08/?currentUser

  • ‘Take Time’ Ilkley Manor House, Ilkley UK 16 September to 15 October 2023.

  • Thamesside Studios Open Exhibition, Thamesside Studio Gallery, London. June 2023.

  • Women in Art Prize 2023 (formerly Hollybush), pre selected

  • Wales Contemporary Competition 2022 shortlist, Waterfront Gallery, Milford Haven (October - November) Gallery@oxo, London 30 November to 4 December 2022.

  • Art number 23, Athens, Greece. July 24 - 30 2020

  • A Night at the Museum, Fortyone gallery, Sydney, Australia, July 2019

  • May the Fourth Be With You, Fortyone gallery, Sydney, Australia, May 2019

Media

‘HAUS-A-REST’ Zine Issue 41 - Ageing - September 2023 https://www.haus-a-rest.com/new-page-45

‘Art Talk’ Podcast Interview - 13 May 2023 Apple YouTube Spotify

Education

  • 1:1 Mentoring - Catherine Bobkowski April - November 2022

  • 6 week intensive workshop - Florence Academy of Art February - March 2022

instagram @jessicasheehan_artist

I am beyond thrilled to announce that I have been accepted into the artist family @artcanorg. I've been looking at the work of the other members and I am truly honoured to be in such amazing company. I can't wait to get involved 💛 #artcanorg
"Boots" 2025. Oil on stretched linen, 30cm x 30cm. Prints to come soon. This painting was based on a fantastic pair of living boots I saw at the lovely @gardenhousebrighton. I loved the balance between the little ecosystem and the hard w
Pontomedon/Lord of the Sea. 2025 oil on stretched canvas, 76 x 60cm. "Poseidon will let go his anger, for he will in no wise be able, against all the immortal gods and in their despite, to contend alone" Homer, The Odyssey. A little out
Another preview of my upcoming painting 'Pontomedon'. "Some scientists warn....by 2050 the quantity of plastics in the oceans will outweigh fish" International Maritime Organisation @imo_hq There is a lot more in the ocean than plastic
She's still a bit shiny, but this is the finished self portrait I've been posting about over the past few weeks. The working title is 'Self portrait in the lounge room' which sounds very grand for my little experiment. Dimensions are 33 x 20 cm on st