Ray Jacobs – Director and Artist

Ray Jacobs is an artist who uses the mediums of image, film and movement to highlight the integrity and beauty of art found in the everyday.

Ray is an experienced artist who has worked throughout the community over the last 15 years as a performer and director, creating imaginative and powerful works with a wide variety of companies, performers and participatory groups in particular collaborating with disabled artists.

He states. ‘I aim in my work to create movement and image which steps quietly into the human heart’.

Artworks

Coming to our Senses 2010

A multi-layered digital work of people’s hands presented on various screens in a café environment, accompanied by a soundtrack and coasters which provide further insight into the installation. The aim was to create a harmonious art intervention with simple yet beautiful images of hands at rest, in conversation or on their own, echoing the day-to-day actions of people within the café.

It was exhibited at The Herbert Gallery Coventry,  Solihul Arts Multiplex and The Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury.

The Remembrance Path – a collaboration with environmental artist Wren Miller 2011

The project was an exploration of arts and the grieving process

‘Whilst researching Charles Darwin, it occurred to us that loss and bereavement were a huge influence on his life, both as a young boy who lost his mother and as a parent who suffered the grief of losing a child. Elements of Darwin’s life also linked in with other important aspects of the project, including the importance of walking as a contemplative and healing practice, his use of stones as markers for thoughts as he walked, and the healing and nurturing effect of the landscape’.

The project included: 
A daily contemplative walk open to the public (including the sharing of memories through conversation, writing and artwork) around the old town walls of Shrewsbury, environmental art workshops for bereaved children, and the creation of a public art piece, ‘The Remembrance Labyrinth’, made of 7000 used books, walked through lightly, thoughtfully, contemplatively and playfully at the Quarry in Shrewsbury.

Digital landscape images

Ray Jacobs has exhibited digital images of figure and landscape at many West Midlands galleries including, Bishops Castle Town Hall Open Exhibition, Qube Gallery Open Exhibition, Oswestry, Church Stretton Public gallery. Working Farm Craven Arms. Examples of the work can be found on http://www.flickriver.com/photos/41605996@N03/popular-interesting/ ,where his works have received over 1 million views.

Filmography

 I Saw a Girl (2008)  – Director

Shown at Oska Bright Film Festival, Brighton, UK, / Glastonbury Music Festival, UK, / BBC prime time television, / DASH, Disability Film Festival UK

Awarded Best Overall Film – Oska Bright Film Festival 2008

Smile and Run (2009) – Director
Shown at Emotion Pictures, Athens, Sprout Film Festival, New York, Intergration Europe film festival you and me.

Third Prize – Cinema Touching Disability, Texas,

Let Me In ! (2011) – Producer
Shown at ; Oska Bright Film Festival Brighton UK, The Normal Festival Prague.
Oxford Disability Film Festival.

Nominated Finalist Oska Bright and Oxford film festivals

 The Sea Reminds Me (2012) – Director

Shown at Breaking Down Barriers Film Festival, Moscow, Bolder Life Festival, Colorado,
Focus Film Festival, California ,Oska Bright Film Festival, Brighton UK,  Ablevision Ireland International Film Festival , Picture This Film Festival, Canada ,Sit Down Shut Up Watch Film , South Australia, Adelaide Film Festival.

Awarded Best Film – Ablevision Ireland

Judges Merit Award –  Focus Film Festival

Nominated Finalist Oska Bright Film Festival.

Awarded Best Film – Sit Down Shut Up and Watch Film Festival, Adelaide, Australia.

Sensibility Award – Assim Vivemos Brazil Disability Film Festival

Audience Award – Premio Cinematografico Fausto Rossano

Bastion (2014) – Director

Best Film – Meeting Rimini Film Festival, Italy 2014

Finalist and 2nd Prize Winner – Cinema Touching Disability Festival, Texas, USA 2014

Best Male Actor (James Doolan) – 7th International Breaking Down Barriers Film Festival, Moscow 2014

Honourable Mention – Picture This Film Festival, Calgary, Canada 2015

Best Story Award – Oska Bright Film Festival, UK 2015

Best in the Fest – Super Fest – California, USA 2015

Short Fiction 2nd Prize – Festival Inclus, Barcelona, Spain 2015

First Prize – The Malta Mental Health Short Film Festival – DIGNITY 2016

Grand Prix Du Jury – Entre ‘2 Marches, Cannes Film Festival 2016

Ray Jacobs is currently co director of Shropshire Inclusive Dance and Performance director at Arty Party.