Jane Harris

Dr Jane Harris is a Reader in Digital Textile Design & Media at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. She develops 3D computer graphic (CG) animation visualisation and installation works within research and visual art contexts and is a writer, curator, convenor and consultant on research practice. Her Ph.D study included enquiry into the value of material skills in aesthetically altering the potential of digital imaging media. Resulting 3D computer graphic (CG) animation work is informed by an earlier textile practice, which received the prestigious Art Foundation Award 1994. A recipient of a NESTA fellowship to run from 2006-09, Harris has received Innovation and Small awards from The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) 2002 & 2001, The Arts Council of England (ACE) 2001, the Rootstein Hopkins Foundation Award 1998 and The Hi-Tech Award, The Arts Council and Channel 4 1996. As visiting lecturer, Harris has worked extensively in the UK and internationally; she has served as an advisor to the Scottish Arts Council, more recently to the Arts Council of England and the EPSRC/ AHRB. Recent exhibitions include:'Fabrication’, Bonnington Gallery, Nottingham, 2005…‘Touch Me’, V&A, London, 2005…‘Space Between’ Perth, Australia 2004…Empress’s New Clothes’, The Museum of London 2004…‘Forget Me Not & Other Stories’, ICA, London 2003…‘Precious’, Millennium Galleries, Sheffield, inaugural exhibition, curated by the Victoria and Albert Museum 2001 and commissioned installation…‘Portrayal’, Crafts Council, London 2000. Recent Publications Include: 2005 'Crafting Computer Graphics' by Jane Harris - Textile: The Journal of Cloth and Culture, Digital Issue (pub Berg). 2004 'Virt'uous Dress' by Jane Harris and Bernard Walsh - Space Between Conference (pub Curtin University of Technology). 2003 'Socerers' Apprentice' by Jane Harris and Bernard Walsh - Innovations in Art and Design, New Visions in Performance. ed by Gavin Carver and Colin Beardon (pub. Swets & Zeitlinger). Harris’ enquiry into hybrid practice and evolving technology is further explored in the development of conferences PixelRaiders 2002, PixelRaiders2 2004. And more recently in collaboration with SCAN, ASF Weave & the University of Wales, Newport, convened the conference ‘Wearable Futures’: Hybrid Culture in the Design and Development of Soft Technology’, September 2005.

As a practitioner her research topics include: a revaluation of material and tacit knowledge in the context of evolving digital imaging and interactive technology; development of digital methods to research, examine and exhibit historical dress; new design and presentation paradigms in relation to ‘future’ fashion using digital and interactive media; ‘crafting’ computer graphics. Recent artwork involves enquiry into digital ‘portrayal’, ‘identity’ and ‘self’ using 3D body scanning and motion capture technology. Current practice includes working with the following media, 2D computer graphics (CG), 3D CG modelling and animation tools, including Photoshop, After Effects and Alias Wavefront Maya, VICON optical motion capture and data analysis, 3D Body scanning, ‘real time’ visualisation solutions for textile/dress and the body and 2&3D projection solutions.