Jessica Albarn at Nelly Duff X E1 Brew Co.


Jessica Albarn’s stunning new collection, The Golden Face, is mesmerising and deeply meaningful.


The Golden Face recently opened at Nelly Duff gallery and E1 Brew Co. were there to support the night with our delicious beers.


Rosana from E1 Brew Co. had the following interview with the artist, Jessica Albarn.





R: Thank you so much for giving us the time to interview you. You must be keeping busy now that London has opened back ‘to business’ like in pre-covid times. Are you excited to be showcasing your work again at Nelly Duff Gallery?


JA: I am very excited to be showing again at Nelly Duff! We’ve worked together for a long time now and it’s great to honour that with a solo exhibition.


R: We are amazed by the precision of your fine line drawings. What keeps you focused in the detail?


JA: It's all about the detail for me. I love getting absorbed and getting to grips with the form and composition of what I am looking at.
Life can be chaotic and this is where I find peace.


R: At what age did you decide that you wanted to become an artist?


JA: I drew obsessively from a young age, but my first love was animals. I wanted to be a vet. Then in my early teens it started dawning on me what fun I could have at Art College!




R: We see bees across your artwork. Do they have deeper meaning/symbolism?

JA: Bees fascinate me on many levels. They are incredible insects that as we all know are vital to our eco system.


I have done a lot of work over the years for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.


Using my work as a platform to raise awareness. I also developed a meadow down in Devon to support the local wildlife, but in particular the Shrill Carder and Blueberry Bumblebee whose numbers are in serious threat.

R: We see you also play around with geometrical elements of the golden ratio in your drawings. Is there a hidden message here?


JA: The geometry is very symbolic. And yes I do use the golden ratio in my drawings! Geometry speaks to us on a very cellular level and reminds us that everything is connected.

"Bees fascinate me on many levels. They are incredible insects that as we all know are vital to our eco system."



R: You have had the pleasure of working with such big names in the creative and fashion world. Is there a project you are particularly proud of?


JA: I think my Spider collection with Helmut Lang has got to be my favourite. I loved the way they applied the drawings to the clothes, and they took me and my work to Japan which turned out to be an amazing experience!

R: We have all seen our favourite city, London change throughout the years, especially Shoreditch. Do you have a favourite hangout spot here?


JA: I’ve been hanging out in Shoreditch for a very long time..going back to the whirly gigs of the late 80’s!!
Hackney Farm with my kids and now I do have a particular fondness for Sunday lunch with a Bloody Mary at Shoreditch house! God that shows my age!!

"Geometry speaks to us on a very cellular level and reminds us that everything is connected."

- Jessica Albarn

R: What are your thoughts on the ever-evolving creative scene of Shoreditch?


JA: I think its great! Any area which supports the vibrancy of the Artists and kids that live and hang out there is very important.


R: If you had one message for the community of Shoreditch, what would it be? 


JA: Never stop playing!