Graduate artist lauded as ‘one to watch’ by industry experts

An award-winning artist says coming to Staffordshire University through Clearing was one of the ‘best decisions’ of her life.

Jioni Warner originally applied to study Sports Therapy but after having seconds thought she decided to follow her lifelong passion for art through Clearing.

She explained: “It was a last-minute decision to change but it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! Applying through Clearing was really easy and I got a quick response from Staffordshire Uni.”

After enrolling on the Art and Design foundation degree, Jioni progressed onto the BA (Hons) Fine Art course where she found her artistic voice.

She said: “This course has enabled me to find out who I am as an artist. When I started getting into political art, I got a lot of support from my tutors. They really helped me figure out what I wanted to do and push me.”

For her final year project, Jioni created a series of large-scale portraits to raise awareness of the exploitation of black women in society. Incorporating images from archives and social media, the mixed media artworks highlight colonisation, the Windrush and stereotypes encouraged by the media.

Jioni has received industry praise for her work and was selected as part of the Sunny Bank Mills gallery Ones to Watch exhibition where she won the judges prize, including a cash award and a residency at the gallery.

She said: “As a black woman, we have to deal with the double burden of both sexism and racism on a daily basis. I’ve grown up with a lot of strong women around me, so it was something close to my heart that I wanted to express in my favourite form which is art.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m kind of shocked and extremely happy that the judges chose my work! I think it will give me a boost in the direction that I want to go in and to get my art out there.”

Jioni now plans to complete a master’s course in London and hopes her experience will give others the confidence to follow their heart if they are having second thoughts.

“Clearing gives you options. I came through Clearing because I switched subjects, it’s not just something for people who didn’t get their grades. If there’s something you want to do but didn’t think you could, then I’d say research it more.“Doing something that’s your passion means you’ll never really grow tired of it - I’ve been painting my whole life and I want to paint forever!”

Hear more from Jioni on Staffordshire University's YouTube channel.

Find out if you are eligible for an offer through Clearing by using our offer calculator, have a ‘live chat’ with Clearing experts at http://www.staffs.ac.uk/clearing/ or call our Clearing hotline on 0800 590 830.

Amy Platts

Media Communications Officer

t: 01782 292702

m: 07799 341911

e: amy.platts@staffs.ac.uk

Staffordshire University is the Connected University; connected to the needs of students, academic partners, business and society. Our main city campus in Stoke-on-Trent features excellent learning and teaching facilities and good transport links. We have specialist Centres of Excellence in Healthcare Education at Stafford and Shrewsbury.  

We were recognised with a Gold award in the 2019 Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) for delivering consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for students.  

We were shortlisted for University of the Year at the THE Awards 2020 and were named ‘Midlands University of the Year’ at the Midlands Business Awards 2020. 
 
Staffordshire University has signed up to the Civic University Agreement, pledging to play a leading role in improving the regional economy and enhancing quality of life in local communities. We were recognised in the top 15 for social inclusion in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021. We aim to be a leading university for digital technologies building on our proud computing heritage and in 2019 launched Staffordshire University London’s Digital Institute which is committed to preparing students for careers in new and emerging tech industries. 

We are a Top 250 Young University (Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020) and are connected globally, with more than 11,000 people studying Staffordshire University degrees overseas.