Artist Breakthrough Moments | In Conversation with Sam Jacobs
The VAA recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Brighton-based British Sculptor Sam Jacobs to discuss exciting opportunities and achievements. Sam creates complex three-dimensional sculptures appropriating traditional craft and knotting techniques. She has a strong interest in historical knotting techniques, sustainable materials, the physics behind self-supporting structures without internal armatures and public sculpture’s potential to create connections and conversations.
Keep up-to-date with Sam’s work: @samjacobscontemporaryart
I feel like I’ve always been an artist, I’ve known no different. I have explored textiles, music & sound, drawing, and painting, to name just a few. I think it’s that creative urge and the freedom of expression that has always appealed and compelled me.
Growing up I was surrounded by it and my parents actively encouraged all my many forms of artistic expression. The house was full of 3d models I would make from cardboard and masking tape and I would create clothes from curtain material.
Looking back, what first inspired you to become an artist?
You were just selected for the Arts Council England DYCP 2025 Grant, can you tell us more about how this will support your work?
Currently I’m researching and developing sustainable, recyclable & regenerative materials in Sculpture. This involves researching into which ropes are sustainable, regenerative, biodegradable and also using innovative materials & processes, new knotting techniques and learning about how we can change from a waste to resource mindset.
I will be buying books and tools as knotting has some quite specific tools. I will also gain training from industry experts to expand my knowledge and I get time with some incredibly exciting Mentors.
Having the DYCP grant means being supported as an artist to explore all these new areas that otherwise I wouldn’t be able to afford and also justify the time I spend exploring. Its a unique opportunity and one I am making the most of every day.
Earlier this year I joined the International Guild of Knot Tyers and had one of my sculptures featured on the front cover of their quarterly magazine and an interview about my work inside. I have more on my wish list though so watch this space!
You’ve been featured in a number of publications, can you tell us about which are your biggest achievements?
Your Sculptures are self-supporting and crafted without armatures, utilising tradition knotting techniques. What inspired you to explore the structural possibilities of knots in your work?
In lockdown I started dabbling with Macramé hanging baskets. I made some for myself, friends and family and this opened up a whole new world of knots. My brain started to process how I could use the macramé knot to create a bigger structure.
So I experimented and built ‘Silver Orb’ using macramé knots and techniques that I had learnt from making the hanging baskets. From then on, I started researching all different types of knots and was fascinated how the knots were really quite strong and how that effected the different structures. I don’t think I will ever stop that learning journey.
Throughout my working life I’ve always seemed to gravitate towards occupations that are predominantly male dominated: Animation, Web Design, Games Development to name a few. I don’t know why Knot tying also seems to be a very male dominated area, although there are many women knot-tyers, they aren’t widely recognised. Things are changing and I am seeing more of a gender and age balance now which is great, so I aim to promote, inspire new generations through my work and continue that wherever I can.
You’ve expressed a desire to raise the profile of minority women artists in the field of knotting. How has your personal journey influenced this mission, and what impact do you hope to achieve through your work?
You aim to share your sculptures with an international audience. How do you approach making your work accessible and resonant across different cultural contexts?
Exhibiting my work in the UK and abroad is an exciting experience that I want to continue. Knot tying is so Universal.
Many different countries have their own specialty knots that mean very different things, the techniques used, the tools, the applications (whether practical or decorative) is far reaching. I feel like I have only just scratched the surface of learning about all these wonderful knots from around the world. The International Guild of Knot Tyers Annual General Meeting had people visiting the UK from Japan, China, America, Finland, Netherlands, India and all across, England, Scotland and Wales it was inspiring to see so many people from all walks of life and all parts of the globe.
You recently completed the VAA Art Curation and Exhibition Management short course, how has this and other VAA resources helped to enhance your creative journey?
I had an amazing opportunity to curate and exhibit my work along the South Bank. As I really knew nothing about Curation, I quickly enrolled on the VAA Art Curation & Exhibition Management course which was a great all round course to cover all aspects. The course was led by Karen Van Hoey Smith who is a wealth of knowledge along with some amazing guest speakers. There is always the opportunity to ask questions which is so helpful and tailor it to your current situation. I also gained a CPD, who doesn’t love a qualification!
The other invaluable source was I signed up for the VAA’s help with Funding Applications which had guest speakers Cas Campbell and Patrick Turner Lee, it was so useful! I contacted Cas after the meeting and she helped me with my Arts Council proposal. I had a clear idea of what I wanted to achieve but wanted to refine my application. She helped me create a clear concise application. It’s not an easy one to get accepted for so I feel very lucky and privileged for my Art to be recognised by such a prestigious organisation.
What’s one piece of advise or wisdom you would share with aspiring artists on their creative journey?
Get a Mentor – it’s invaluable. Get lots of mentorship if you can afford it! It’s something I wish I had done a lot sooner. Support, advice, guidance, objective perspective, connections, are all crucial when building your art practice.
See more of Sam’s work: https://samjacobs.co.uk/
Do you have your own breakthrough moments to share? We want to hear from you! Email hello@visual-artists.org for more about our Artist Profiling Service.