Jemma Appleby RWA creates charcoal drawings of modern architecture. In 2023, she was awarded the Academy Prize in the 170th Annual Open and, shortly afterwards, joined the RWA as an Academician. At this year’s 173rd Annual Open, Jemma secured the Evolver Front Cover Award.

During the celebrations marking the opening of the 173rd Annual Open exhibition, we caught up with Jemma in the RWA Living Room space to find out more about her work, creative approach, and experience of becoming an RWA Academician.

Jemma works with charcoal, a traditionally messy medium that, she reflects, is “often associated with life drawing”. Discussing her approach, she says she is “cheating charcoal ... I sort of wrangle it into little boxes and make it do something that is unexpected”.

Her inspiration is drawn from real spaces, found online or through architects’ drawings. She aims to “be really honest to the original idea of the space”, adding that she “just empties them of clutter”. Because her final pieces are so methodical and carefully planned, Jemma creates digital and 3D models where she can experiment and play before beginning the final work.

The results are sharp, crisp pieces that explore shadow, contrast, and our expectations of charcoal as a medium. It is no surprise that her work secured the Evolver Front Cover Award, which she says she is “really looking forward to seeing in print”.

Since her election as an RWA Academician in 2024, Jemma has enjoyed building stronger creative connections across Bristol and the South West. Reflecting on the experience, she says it has been “really good fun ... to be celebrated by your peers and to have people enjoy your work is always really wonderful”.