UWE Bristol alum Valda Jackson receives MBE
See all news![Valda Jackson holding up the coin she designed](/-/media/uwe/images/news/valda-jackson-850x500.png?la=en&h=498&w=847&mw=847&hash=687B0CC283BFDE4F37A9B95FF06C9F49)
UWE Bristol alum, Valda Jackson, has received an MBE for Services to Art in the New Years Honours List.
Valda is a multidisciplinary artist and published writer, exploring the psychology of migration, identity, and loss. Graduating from UWE Bristol in 1989 with a BA(Hons) in Fine Art, she has since shown in the National Portrait Gallery and Royal West of England Academy (RWA) in Bristol and has won multiple awards, including the PSSA Marsh Award for Excellence in public sculpture in 2017 for her collaborative public art piece Jackson and Harris.
Last year, Valda designed a new commemorative 50p coin to mark 75 years since HMT Empire Windrush arrived in the UK. Depicting two people of the Windrush generation against the backdrop of a Union Jack, the coin pays tribute to the many British Caribbean and Commonwealth citizens who came to the UK between 1948 and 1973.
Reflecting on the design, Valda said:
“My design is more than a celebration of one moment. It is an acknowledgment of the real, lived experience of generations of ordinary working people. And though we may have struggled, and we still struggle in many ways, we and our descendants are, in fact, at home.
“The coin honours our parents and their legacy; and celebrates our presence, achievements, and contributions that continue to enrich our society.”
Valda still maintains her connection to UWE Bristol, hosting talks for students in her Spike Island studio, where she is a resident artist, and mentoring individual students. Valda is currently working towards her upcoming solo show at RWA Bristol, which will focus on the interest of the child in migration. The exhibition opens 25 May – 11 August 2024.
Related news
![UWE Bristol student Emily Annakin stands smiling with the Clifton Suspension Bridge behind her with hot air balloons flying in the distance](/-/media/uwe/images/news/showcase-emily-annakin-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=BCBBB446ADE1E74125F4AC8AE3B47B1F)
04 June 2024
Urban places and spaces should be accessible for all, says UWE Bristol student
Student Emily Annakin is hoping to land her dream job, using her own experience of visual impairment to design inclusive urban spaces.
![UWE Bristol illustration student stands in front of a double decker bus featuring her winning design](/-/media/uwe/images/news/bus-wrap-women-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=8BF20578EE978EA8470162FCD4E953AA)
09 May 2024
Winning bus design by UWE Bristol student
A new bus wrap designed by student Rosalyn Burroughs has been unveiled to mark 80 years since the first female bus drivers were employed in Bristol.
![Student Nikola Asojana's concept for an activist hub 'Ground for Change' which shows a forum space in Bristol where members of the public can meet](/-/media/uwe/images/news/degree-showcase-2024-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=6A8B1AC052C4B2632C530A87AAE04354)
07 May 2024
Graduating students gear up to present their work at annual Showcase
UWE Bristol's Showcase offers visitors the chance to discover a new generation of talent from the College of Arts, Technology and Environment.
![UWE Bristol students perform as part of the Open Studios exhibition at Spike Island in 2023 - photo credit Dan Weill Photography](/-/media/uwe/images/news/spike-island-credit-dan-weill-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=210A78456E2D4D73BC090231E73C0875)
15 April 2024
UWE Bristol art students to showcase their work during Spike Island’s Open Studios
Open Studios gives the chance to go behind the scenes at Spike Island - home to UWE Bristol Fine Art, over 70 artists’ studios, and Spike Print Studio.
![Immersive Arts UWE Bristol led project](/-/media/uwe/images/news/immersive-arts-generic-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=53485F4A14BB0EBBAF0A48361D5ADB8E)
31 January 2024
UWE Bristol to lead ‘Immersive Arts’ – a new £6m project supporting UK artists to work with immersive tech
The three-year ‘Immersive Arts’ project will build on the UK’s record of supporting artists to unlock the creative potential of new technology.
![Unicorns at UWE](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/unicorns-at-uwe-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=FDA9125FE209EE449EE97D868097C674)
02 November 2023
Two charity unicorn sculptures installed at UWE Bristol
Two unicorn sculptures, which featured in a charity art trail, have new homes at UWE Bristol – one at Glenside campus and the other at Frenchay campus.
![MA Showcase 2023 Lee Nutland](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/ma-showcase-lee-nutland-stanton-drew-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=84DFC6C71777986DE148FD8EE710C6A4)
30 August 2023
Emerging talent exhibited during MA Showcase
Students studying MA Design, MA Graphic Arts and MA Multi-Disciplinary Printmaking will exhibit their work at a special Showcase this month.
![Ignite BBC graduates success](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/ignite-bbc-graduates-success-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=59239FB64851C5DDA9C6F5AB62F39F98)
27 July 2023
Two UWE Bristol graduates’ work selected in children’s animation talent search
The exceptional skills of two former UWE Bristol students have caught the eye of BBC commissioners looking to uncover the UK’s next animation hit.
![UWE Bristol's decorated unicorn at Bristol Aquarium, with artist Chloe Tyler](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/unicornfest-aquarium-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=554B66E64478C2BA1B7BFBB4845649AA)
27 June 2023
UWE Bristol supports charity unicorn sculpture trail
A herd of unicorns, including one sponsored by UWE Bristol, will be unveiled in selected locations across the city and South West next week to raise money for charity.
![Degree Show 2023 Jade Carr Daley](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/degree-show-2023-jade-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=3EB2D9715B44157FA416BD920DD1C1DB)
01 June 2023
Degree Show beckons for UWE Bristol students
An annual end of year celebration of work by students at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) takes place next week (8-15 June).
![Degree Show 2023](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/degree-show-2023-news-story-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=C799EA9096EEFBD0AF128A247893C761)
28 April 2023
UWE Bristol graduates to unveil work at annual degree show
The exceptional talent of graduating students at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) will be celebrated at the annual Degree Show this June.
![Public art globe](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/globe-public-art-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=48A10B950E8F37F3EAADD8916D46F069)
14 April 2023
Public art globe created by former UWE Bristol student installed at Bower Ashton campus
A piece of public art created by former UWE Bristol illustration student Jazz Thompson has been installed at City Campus Bower Ashton.