University, Jo was taught printmaking by Jean Lodge, who studied with S W Hayter at Atelier 17, Paris and who was inspirational in her rigorous approach and experimentation. Jo went on to complete an MA in print at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Printmaking is central to Jo’s practice, though it does not dominate the narrative or dictate the expression. The relief and etching techniques Jo Gorner uses allow space and time to consider an image facilitating the passage from thought to paper.

The quality of the marks Jo achieves, the presence of the hand and incidence of chance, are all integral to her work.

The restorative value of the creative process and the impact of the natural landscape both underpin Jo’s practice. The artwork which results is a sensory, embodied, response to this immersion in the natural environment and her relational encounter with a landscape.