An Exhibition by artist and writer VALDA JACKSON MBE RWA

Sat 7th to Fri Nov 27th 2026, Opening Night Fri Nov 6th 6-8.30pm

Roseberry Road Studios, Bath

Valda Jackson was born in Jamaica and now lives and works in Bristol. Her parents were part of the Windrush Generation and, like many other children from the Caribbean, she was “sent for” to join them after some years apart. Jackson returns repeatedly to the complexities of the migrant experience from her own lived experience, together with research into children’s neurological development, which is reflected across the works in this exhibition. Each piece sensitively bears witness to the emotions of both children and parents, especially mothers and daughters, during their separation.

 “Miss Polly” is a touching yet also troubling figure. Each variation of this small child reveals a spirit of adventurous independence and the experience of painful limits. The absence of choice, but presence of hope, that Jackson has described in her own mother, is also there in the child. ‘‘Miss Polly’’ was first exhibited at the RWA Bristol in 2024.

Valda Jackson is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist and writer. She was awarded an MBE in 2024 for services to Art, is the designer of the Royal Mint coin commemorating the 75th anniversary of Windrush generations in 2023 and was shortlisted for the prestigious National Windrush Monument commission in 2021.