JASMINE COE

WIRADJURI-BRITISH ARTIST

Jasmine Coe is a Wiradjuri-British artist and the founder and curator of Coe Gallery.

In late 2016, she travelled to Australia for the first time to connect with her Aboriginal heritage and meet her father, Aboriginal activist Paul Coe, after 20 years apart. Having struggled with race and self-identity growing up, her work now focuses on harmonising the internal conflicts that arise from having two lines of heritage which together hold a traumatic history.

“In an attempt to heal self, painting becomes a restorative process whereby the understanding of self-identity is given space to develop, while at the same time the work continues to celebrate the beauty of Aboriginal culture and the natural world.”

Since 2019, Jasmine has exhibited in over 40 international exhibitions across the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States. In 2022, she founded Coe Gallery, the UK's first Aboriginal-owned gallery, dedicated to supporting Aboriginal artists through the principles of self-determination and providing greater visibility and representation within the UK arts sector. Coming from a politically active Aboriginal family, Coe Gallery takes its name in honour of Jasmine's father's family and continues the legacy of creating opportunities for Aboriginal people to represent their own culture.

In 2023, Jasmine was invited by the Australian Prime Minister to attend the Coronation of King Charles III as one of ten Australian representatives. Her contribution to the arts and cultural exchange between Australia and the United Kingdom has also been recognised by Buckingham Palace. Her work is held in significant diplomatic collections and has been presented to senior representatives of the Australian Government and the Australian High Commission in London.