The Library of Obscure Wonders

Joanna Fisher Roberts 

E:jofisherroberts@icloud.com

Education 

1996-1998 The Slade School of Fine Art, University College London Master of Fine Art: Painting 

1992 – 1995 Lancaster University BA hons 2:1 Visual Arts

2004 7307 City & Guilds Teacher Training, stage 1. Cambridge.

Current Employment

Self-employed artist, illustrator and workshop leader

Tutor in Botanical and Natural History illustration at City Lit and South London Botanical institute

Selected Exhibitions/Commissions 

2018 Solo exhibition, Bookartbookshop, London

2018 Bursary and week long residency from Great Art, Kingsland Highroad, London

2017 Sheila Na Gig – collaboration with Jill Rock
Exhibition and performance at Hundred Years Gallery, London 

2015 Rot of the Stars (ROTS) – collaboration with Mark O Pilkington Live Art Performance at The Horse Hospital, London 

2018 Barham Park Murals – public art commission. Two large scale murals (12ft X10ft) to decorate a wall in Barham Village Commissioned by STRA 

2016 Rot of the Stars (ROTS) – collaboration with Mark O Pilkington Multi sensory installation and live performances. Fig 2, ICA, London 

2015 Artist Residency, exhibition and performances Milchovich Studios, Berlin, Germany 

2014  From Nothing, Library of Obscure Wonders, collaboration with Giles Leaman, Hundred Years Gallery, London 

2014 Blithe Nook – Bethnal Green, collaboration with Cos Chapman, site specific Installation St John on Bethnal Green, London 

2014 Tiles – site specific installation and performance, part of Psychogeographical Wanderings with Studio RA, Caffarella Park, Rome, Italy 

2013 Pollards Hill Book Sculpture – public art commission workshops creating new books from thrown out old books and a final artwork permanently displayed at the library, commissioned by Merton Council and ACAVA for Pollards Hill Library, Merton, London 

2010 Tales of The River Brent. 

Public Art Project commissioned by Brent Council Organisation and delivery of an Art Walk for local residents along the riverside. A finalexhibition of curiosities gathered during the walk was held at Watermans Art Centre, the point where the River Brent meets the Thames

2007 The Westbourne – tales of a lost river.  May – July

Public Art Project commissioned by the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. 

Organizing and delivery of an Art Walk for local participants and the creation of an information pack for future use

 2006 Thames Wonders 

Funded by the Arts Council England and Wandsworth Borough Council. Part of Wandsworth Arts Festival 2006

Workshops for children aged 5 to 13

Large scale painted banners in collaboration with the childern at the workshops, installed on to a Thames barge

A public field trip along the Thames Foreshore

Two nights of Live-Art and performance

Exhibitions at St.Mary’s Church, Putney Bridge, on board the Couper Collection, Palace Wharf and Wandsworth Museum

Other Activities 

2004 to present – Set up the Library of Obscure Wonders. Designed as a modern day cabinet of curiosities, its aim is to find the wondrous in the everyday

2000 – 2005 Tactile Art Workshops. Teaching students with severe learning difficulties, Cambridgeshire County Council 

2002 – 2005 Life Drawing Tutor for beginners at Long Road Six Form College, Cambridge

2001 Managed Cambridge Digital/Analog Arts Festival

1999 Set up LEAPS (Live Experimental, Arts, Performance, Society) in Cambridge with Cos Chapman