The Path Is a Metaphor

Jo Cope’s sole exhibion, on show from 21.09.2024 till 25.05.2025, at the Museu do Calcado in Portugal.
The Path has long been used as a metaphor for life’s journey and the decisions made along the way; from poetry about untrodden paths and religious parables about the right path to take to quotes about the path as a symbol of internal truth or wisdom. The concept of the path in the case of a creative, might be considered to hold greater advantages when unconventionally shaped. 

Cope has long been drawn to the visual perspective of the path, which often appears as a triangular shape extending from the feet, with the end point disappearing into the distance. She thinks of this as symbolic of optimism, representing an invitation to the future which is always in front of you. 

Paths and walking are intrinsically linked, and the benefits of walking have long been documented as aiding thinking and contemplation. Cope uses walking as a means to gain mental clarity on thoughts and ideas. 

The image of the path as a route to enlightenment or self-discovery is well-worn in religious and philosophical thinking and it is widely used to illustrate ideas around progression through life and self-discovery. 

Within ‘The Path Is a Metaphor’ exhibition Cope wanted to create a space which stimulates the imagination, where colour and scale are irrational to the real world to allow the audience to lose themselves a little, in a similar way that you might on a solitary walk. She has overlapped the feeling of external and internal environments; for example, in the use of the iconography of the tree and the highway round-a-about with more domestic intimate spaces which you might find in the walk around the exhibition; representing journeys which are inward. – Jo Cope

About Jo Cope
Jo Cope is a UK based female artist and conceptual craftswoman who has been pushing the formal boundaries of fashion for almost two decades. Jo’s interest is in creating a new role for fashion, creating socially active and highly crafted vessels, which can exist and communicate both on and off the body.

Jo’s unique practice is primarily focused around using the shoe as an object to explore notions of being human, her work draws upon: psychology, philosophy, history, social trends and personal experiences. Her work has been represented at a diverse range of prestigious events worldwide; including the Venice Design Biennale 2021, London Craft Week, Fashion Matters at Buckingham Palace 2018 and Material Movement Gala at Sadler’s Wells Theatre 2017. Jo’s footwear artefacts have been exhibited internationally at top museums including: The Budapest Museum of Art, State Museum Russia, Decorative Arts Museum Paris and Gallery Pecz Hungary.

Jo Copes objective is to continue to push the formal boundaries of fashion questioning its evolving role within art and society.

The Path Is a Metaphor
On show 21.09.2024 – 25.05.2025

Museu do Calcado
Rua Oliveira Júnior, no 591 3700-204 S. João da Madeira Portugal
WWW.MUSEU-DOCALCADO.PT/EN

Opening hours
Tuesday to Sundays and holidays 10:00-12:30 / 14:00-17:30