The unfinished Chthulucene must collect up the trash of the Anthropocene, the exterminism of the Capitalocene, and chipping and shredding and layering like a mad gardener, make a much hotter compost pile for still possible pasts, presents, and futures.
– Donna J. Haraway, Staying with the Trouble, Making Kin in the Chthulucene, p57
Jessica Rost
Jessica is a sculptor, director, maker, writer, herbalist and a performance artist who has periodically lived off-grid in self-builds and on the road. Her enviromental and socially engaged practice follows a deep interest in ecology, animality and environmental issues.
She works in mixed media – welding, carving, assemblages, film, sound and textiles – as well as with communities, often using herbs, plants and waste materials in all kinds of settings.
Using a Permacultural approach Jessica makes use of abundance within whatever system she finds herself within, creating installation, alternative living structures, sculpture, public art, events, sharings, unique costumes, spoken word, large puppets, art bikes and structures. Her interest in low impact practices and the permaculture design principles, is a way to explore new ways of working through what she calls in her recent dissertation, a Perma-art practice. She has a foundation qualification in Medical Herbalism.
For some time Jessica has been considering relationships between species and otherness, especially through plants and plant structures and patterns. Much of her work involves social engagement that aims to reconnect or relearn our relationships with nature.
She is also a freelance producer and director; programming, devising and directing for street theatre, outdoor spectacles, happenings, and events; creating and touring her own work as well as working in collaboration with other artists and organisations.
New Developments:
Jessica has been working as Artist in Resident for Left Coast in Revoe, Blackpool since March 2025 where she is exploring the pioneer plants and their medicinal properties with local residents there.
She was Creative Caretaker at Wild Rumpus where she was in residence and had a studio workshop 2021-2023. In 2023 Jessica took on Ashbank Farm from Wild Rumpus and founded Ashbank Arts.
Ashbank Arts ltd was set up as a co-operative and a space for artists, crafters, makers, and performers interested in an off-grid life-style.
Jessica was accepted as a Member of the Royal Society of Sculptors (MRSS) in 2022 and was a recipient of the 2021 Yorkshire Sculpture Park Graduate Award and undertook a residency at YSP in September/October 2022.
In 2020/21 she completed a full time MFA at University of Leeds and was awarded a distinction. You can explore her MFA work here.
In July 2018 she was awarded Arts Council funding to develop her practice, as well as an Arts Bursary from MK Community Foundation to purchase tools and equipment. After 6 months of research, mentoring and studio time, she launched the new company, Rost Productions, in January 2019.
Rost Productions is a collaboration of Associate Artists; performers, makers, musicians, techies and others -under the Artistic Direction of Jessica Rost.
And you can learn more about current productions and the latest news here.
Previous work:
Jessica was the Artistic Director and a maker at Festive Road CIC, 2008-2018, where she produced sculpture, street theatre and large scale puppetry, mainly for the outdoor arts. And as Artistic Director of Milton Keynes Festival Fringe 2012-2017, she produced and curated a dynamic, annual multi-disciplinary festival. She is still an active supporter of the MK Fringe, and now serves as Chair of the Board.
“I first worked with Jessica in 2010 on her Festive Road project for the Cultural Olympiad, this was when I was Creative Programmer for London 2012. She designed and led an excellent and inclusive piece of work which well-deserved its Cultural Olympiad status. It playfully examined the UK’s relationship with tea and as such, was open and welcoming to many different communities. The carnival costumes of willow patterned cups, saucers and teapots were expertly executed and very beautiful; they really captured the imagination. After the Games, our paths crossed on a number of occasions, most recently in the process of creating Milton Keynes’ bid to become European Capital of Culture. During this time I had the good fortune to visit the Festive Road Creation Centre which was very much led by Jessica’s drive, creativity and vision. The centre was like a treasure chest of extraordinary beings, all emerging from her wonderful imagination and her commitment to up-cycling and recycling. It was tremendous for me to see how Jessica grew what was originally a very small company back in 2010 into such a successful creative practice that was truly unique in the UK.”
Caterina Loriggio, Creative Director and Cultural Strategist, Apr 2018
