Professor Jorella Andrews

Staff details

Professor Jorella Andrews

Position

Professor of Visual Cultures

Department

Visual Cultures

Email

j.g.andrews (@gold.ac.uk)

Trained in fine art and art theory, Jorella’s work focuses on philosophical inquiry, the image-world, and art practice

Having trained as a fine artist, worked in media, and re-trained as an art theorist, Jorella Andrews joined the Visual Cultures Department at Goldsmiths in 1998, working with Irit Rogoff and colleagues to help develop the emergent field of visual cultures from pedagogical as well as theoretical perspectives. She served as Head of Department from 2009 to 2013.

Andrews' work examines the relations between philosophical inquiry, the image-world, and art practice. Her current focus is on the practical potential of aesthetics and image-based phenomenological research to intervene in key areas of contemporary concern such as the development of non-ego-centric approaches to personal and collective identity, the importance of self-directed, situated learning in academic and non-academic contexts, and the development of non-coercive approaches to change-making in personal and public life.

Academic qualifications

  • PhD in Art Theory, Essex University: Merleau-Ponty and the Question of Painting 1997
  • MA in Art Theory (with Distinction), Essex University: Merleau-Ponty on Intersubjectivity 1992
  • BA (Hons) in Fine Art Printmaking, Central School of Art, London 1984

Teaching and supervision

I teach two undergraduate modules, ‘Ornamentation’ and ‘Materiality,’ that explore aesthetics and the socio-politics of style, and an MA Core Course 'Aesthetics and the Stewardship of Public Space'. The PhD dissertations I supervise have a common orientation towards phenomenological and aesthetic themes or have a focus on processes of making.

Research interests

Key publications by Andrews that explore the intersections between philosophical inquiry, the image-world, and art practice in terms of their impact on lived experience include the essay ‘Interviewing Images: How Visual Research Using IPA (Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis) Can Illuminate the Change-Making Possibilities of Place, Space, and Dwelling (2020) and her two monographs, ‘The Question of Painting: Rethinking Thought with Merleau-Ponty’ and 'Showing Off! A Philosophy of Image' (2018 and 2014, both Bloomsbury). She is now researching ‘How to Turn Around Trouble: Aesthetic Strategies for Deep Change’ (working title), which combines theoretical reflection with findings drawn from collaborative community-based projects. A book chapter entitled ‘Pictorial Rationalities and why they matter in our struggles for identity and community’ is forthcoming.

Andrews also advocates for visual culture and art history beyond academia. She is the editor of the ‘Visual Cultures as…’ series (Sternberg Press; 5 titles) and has written two books collaboratively with illustrators: ‘This is Cézanne’ (2015) with Patrick Vale and ‘This is Rembrandt’ (2016) with Nick Higgins, both part of Laurence King Publishing’s ‘This is…’ series.

More generally, Andrews is curious about 20th-century and contemporary visual culture in its diversity and has a longstanding interest in 17th-century Dutch art and in debates and queries of a theological nature.

Andrews has a long history of involvement in local community-based activities as a volunteer, activities which have been increasingly intertwining with her academic concerns and providing opportunities for site-specific research and development. For instance, she has co-facilitated a local, faith-based arts forum with painter Walter Hayn since 2013 and is Chair of Albion Millennium Green Trust, which stewards a small public green space in London in terms of its biodiversity and as a site for community gatherings and events.

Publications and research outputs

Book

Andrews, Jorella G. and Durner, Leah. 2019. Painting, Largesse and Life: A Conversation with Leah Durner. New York: Leah Durner.

Andrews, Jorella G.. 2018. The Question of Painting: Rethinking Thought with Merleau-Ponty. London: Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 9781472574282

Andrews, Jorella G.. 2016. This is Rembrandt. London: Laurence King. ISBN 9781780677453

Edited Book

Andrews, Jorella G., ed. 2024. Visual Cultures as World Forming. London: Sternberg Press. ISBN 9783956795374

Andrews, Jorella G., ed. 2021. Visual Cultures as Time Travel. Berlin: Sternberg Press. ISBN 9783956795381

Andrews, Jorella G., ed. 2016. Visual Cultures as Opportunity. Berlin: Sternberg Press. ISBN 3956791002

Book Section

Andrews, Jorella G.. 2023. Quodlibet and Cortesia: Alastair Gordon’s Painterly Debates with Art, Nature, and ‘the Real’. In: Jorella G. Andrews, ed. Alastair Gordon – Quodlibet. London: Anomie Publishing, pp. 13-23. ISBN 9781910221488

Andrews, Jorella G.. 2022. Pictorial Rationalities and why they matter in our struggles for identity and community. In: Helen Fielding and Mariana Ortega, eds. Life in Art—Phenomenological Approaches to Aesthetics and World-Making. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.

Andrews, Jorella G.. 2016. The Socialities of Things. In: Barbara Kapusta; Rocco Pagel and Jenni Tischer, eds. Dinge und Dialoge. Berlin and Vienna: Saprophyt, pp. 10-15.

Article

Andrews, Jorella G.. 2023. The Horns and the Craftsmen: Artistry as Powerful, Peaceable Warfare. The Big Picture, 09,

Andrews, Jorella G.. 2023. Slow looking: Frans Hals’s portrait of a newly-wed. RA The Royal Academy of Arts Magazine(160), p. 29. ISSN 0956-9332

Andrews, Jorella G.. 2023. In the Studio with Mary Abma. The Big Picture, 07, pp. 44-47.

Conference or Workshop Item

Andrews, Jorella G.. 2024. 'Fashion: tissue, textile, toile'. In: CAA (College Art Association) Annual Conference, 2024. Hilton Chicago, United States 17 February 2024.

Andrews, Jorella G.. 2024. '“Working with resistance – What can textiles teach us?”'. In: CVC 'Labor and Resistance' Series. University of Wisconsin, Madison, United States 12 February 2024.

Andrews, Jorella G.. 2024. '“Extravagance, Liveliness, Livelihood: Intertwining Body, Materials, and Action: A Conversation with Leah Durner”'. In: CVC 'Labor and Resistance' Series. University of Wisconsin, Madison, United States 9 February 2024.

Art Object

Andrews, Jorella G.. 2023. Holdings (2020-23).

Broadcast

Andrews, Jorella G.. 2021. Talking History: Cezanne - A Life.

Andrews, Jorella G. and Mirzoeff, Nicholas. 2014. Visual Cultures In Conversation: Nicholas Mirzoeff's The Right to Look, Journal of Visual Culture Podcast 2014..

Digital

Andrews, Jorella G.. 2023. Anne Wilson: The Davis Street Drawing Room. A Carte de tendre.

Andrews, Jorella G.. 2021. How to find great galleries and exhibitions (and what to do when you get there).

Film/Video

Andrews, Jorella G.. 2021. Art and Aesthetics in and after Phenomenology of Perception.

Printed Ephemera

Andrews, Jorella G.. 2022. Celebrating Red Ribbon Living Well December 2021 ― December 2022.

Andrews, Jorella G.. 2021. How to find great galleries and exhibitions (and what to do when you get there) 2nd Edition.

Andrews, Jorella G.. 2018. How to find great galleries and exhibitions (and what to do when you get there).

Professional Activity

Andrews, Jorella G.. 2019. Trustee, Association for Art History.

Project

Andrews, Jorella G.. 20 February 2021 - Present "Interviewing" Images & Objects: Community Engagement Workshops and Projects.

Andrews, Jorella G.. 24 November 2018 - Present Advocacy for Art History/Visuals Cultures (via the Association for Art History): 2018- Present.

Andrews, Jorella G.. 22 Sept 2018 - present Using Phenomenology in Contemporary Arts Research/Interviewing Images: Academic Workshops September 2018 - Present.

Professional projects

Trustee, Association for Art History