Jane Chavez-Dawson
I am an interdisciplinary lens-based artist, writer, and lecturer whose practice explores contemporary media, identity, heritage, taboos, stereotypes, and the concept of time. My work spans video, photography, audio, posters, installations, and art multiples.
Recent themes include the different stages of menopause, the supernatural, the forgotten histories of archive objects, and the changing dynamics of family relationships through the passage of time. My creative output also includes photographic work, installations, performance, sound pieces, short stories, and plays.
As a writer, I served as Radar Arts Editor for Flux Magazine and have contributed to numerous art publications as a freelancer. Under the name JT Chavez, I write for performance and have had several successful live productions, including Cherry & the Ox, a play focused on the Kearton Brothers—the first wildlife photographers.
I have been a member of Rogue Artists Studios, the largest professional contemporary art studio in the North of England, for over two decades.
In my educational practice, I am particularly interested in the evolving relationship between critical theory and practice across Levels 3 to 6 (Foundation through to final year BA (Hons), with a focus on Photography. I have explored how different pedagogical approaches can enhance this relationship, helping students develop transferable skills - such as articulating their practice within a broad critical framework for future clients and peers, and supporting their ability to assess and resolve complex ideas. My research investigates how theory and practice can be integrated meaningfully within creative education, fostering confidence, critical thinking, and professional readiness.
Selected Shows 2006 - 2022
2025, 'Waiting for the Moonshine' ROGUE WOMEN 4, Rogue Artists Studios, Manchester, UK
2025, 'The Changeling's Spell,' OPEN STUDIOS, 30th Year Anniversary, Rogue Artists Studios, Manchester, UK
2025, PANEL DISCUSSION SHOW, Bomb Factory Art Foundation, London
2025, 'Veiled Oracle', in ‘Medusa’ + ‘Persephone & Friends,’ Union Gallery, London
2024, 'Cabinet of Conduits,' VENTRILOQUISM, The Lost Voice Spoken by Others, The Whitaker - Rossendale Museum, Rawtenstall
2024, ‘ROGUE WOMEN 3’, Rogue Artists Studios, Manchester, UK
2024, ‘Coms,’ MANCHESTER OPEN, HOME, Manchester.
2023, 'The Sudden Appearance of the Invisible Woman, Howlin’, and an Audio work in collaboration with Tanith Mab and David McGregor (from Paradise Works). TEES, Rogue Project Space, Manchester, Rogue Artists Studio
2023, ‘Strange Planet’ (A4), ‘Sight Ingested Part 1’, Toyko & Osaka (with GEEK Pictures Inc, Quarter Room, Ono Point Art Space, Yachiyo City Public Gallery), Japan
2023, ‘Strange Planet’ (A3), ROGUE WOMEN, Rogue Artists Studios, Manchester UK.
2022 ‘Tempted’ (Interactive Installation), Rogue Artists Studios, Manchester UK.
2022 'MANCHESTER OPEN 2022', HOME, Manchester, UK
2019 ‘ROGUE WOMEN 2’, Rogue Project Space, Manchester, UK
2019 'EXPOSURE', Air Gallery, Altrincham, UK
2019 Present & Display, Rogue Artists Studios, Manchester, UK
2018 'MANIFESTO', Rogue Artists Studios, Manchester, UK
2017 'OPEN STUDIOS', Rogue Artists Studios, Manchester, UK
2016 'OPEN STUDIOS', Rogue Artists Studios, Manchester, UK
2015 'OPEN STUDIOS', Rogue Artists Studios, Manchester, UK
2014 'OPEN STUDIOS', Rogue Artists Studios, Manchester, UK
2013 'OPEN STUDIOS', Rogue Artists Studios, Manchester, UK
2012 'OPEN STUDIOS', Rogue Artists Studios, Manchester, UK
2011 Re-Covering, Object / A, Manchester, UK
2011 Unrealised Potential, VOID Gallery, Derry, Northern Ireland
2010 Unrealised Potential, NGCA, Sunderland, UK
2010 Unrealised Potential, Cornerhouse, Manchester, UK
2009 Title Murdered, Storey Gallery, Lancaster
2009 'A bANdA dA' (Altermodern: Tate Triennial 2009, Shezad Dawood Selects for Late at Tate Britain), TATE Britain, London, UK
2008 'OPEN STUDIOS', Rogue Artists Studios, Manchester, UK
2007 North And South, John Hansard Gallery Southampton (Artist Commission)
2007 Inside Outside, The Storey Gallery (Artist In Residency), Lancaster, UK
2006 Deletia, Arena Studios Gallery (Liverpool Biennial), Liverpool, UK
2006 Food & Drink, Queens Street Studios Gallery, Belfast, Uk [Horticultural Sculpture]
2006 Pure Screen (Retrospective), Project Space, Castlefield Gallery, Manchester, UK
Writing as JT Chavez:
2022 'Setting the Feast Tables', Rogue Project Space, Mcr, UK
2017 ‘Unveiling Duchamp's Ring' with Ruby Tingle, Manchester Art Gallery, Mcr, UK
2017 ‘Return of Robin Nature-Bold’ CLUB BIG, as part of John Hyatt’s ROCK ART, HOME, Mcr, UK
2016 'Cherry & the Ox ', Chorlton Arts Festival, Manchester, UK
2015 'DIZYGOTIC LUMARI’S: Unearthing the Lite Pool Dadaists Part 1', Grundy Art Gallery, Blackpool, UK
2013 'OUTSIDE INN, CRIME SING' Centre For Chinese Contemporary Art, Manchester, UK
2012 'Hidden Herb', for Conway & Young, Manchester School of `Art, Manchester, UK
Selected Education:
2006 Universtiy Of Central Lancaster, PGCE (Post-Compulsory Education)
2001 MA Art As Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University
1999 NCTJ, Nvq Level 4 Journalism & Subbing
1997 BA (Hons) History Of Art & Design, Manchester Metropolitan University
Lecturing/Teaching:
Sept 2017 - To Present Day - 0.5 Lecturer Foundation Arts and Digital Media / School of Arts & Media, Salford University,
Sept 2000 – To Present Day - Course Leader of Contemporary Photography, Lecturer, Stockport College ‘Media Studies’, ‘History Of Photography‘ ‘Critical Research’ And ‘Studies Skills’ On Ba (Hons) Photography Course, ‘Critical Art & Design Theory’ On Ba(Hons) Design & Visual Arts, ‘Critical Theory’ Hnd Media Broadcasting
Writing:
Radar Arts Editor, Flux Magazine (Since December 1996)
Writer, Fluxspace (Since August 2000)
Freelance Writer:
Sept 2006 Time Out (North West / Manchester Edition).
April 2006 Ny Art Magazine (New York)
Catalogue Essay:
2016 McCarthyism, (Apple Pie Editions)
Press:
2007 The Guardian, Guide, Robert Clark, ‘North & South’, Pp 37, 27th July
2003 The Guardian, G2, Manchester, Jessica Lack, Pick Of The Week ‘Art@F-Squared’, Pp 18, 22nd Sept
2002 Metro News, Manchester, Andrew Fraser, ‘Shopping’, Pp 18, 13th Sept
2002 City Life, Manchester, David Gledhill, ‘Jane Griffiths: Tv Dogs’, Pp 61, 11 – 26 Sept
2002 The Guardian, G2, Manchester, Jessica Lack, Pick Of The Week ‘Tv Dogs’, Pp 18, 23th Aug
2002 Metro News, Manchester, Scott Birch, ‘Icons From The Small Screen’, Pp 18, 13th Aug
2002 Artist Newsletter, Gillian Nicol, ‘The Mill’, Feb 2001
Helping Artists Keep Going
Axis is an artist-led charity supporting contemporary visual artists with resources, connection, and visibility.