Ruth Taylor Jacobson studied painting and etching at the Slade School of Fine Art from 1959-63, where she won first prize in figure drawing. She was involved in painting and print-making and exhibited widely. Many years later she was attracted to stained glass and studied at Central St Martin's where she was awarded a Fellowship in Stained Glass, 1991–92.
She has always loved painting and drawing people, both real and imaginary. For many years she worked in intaglio etching, exploring the qualities of line and texture, luminous highlights and intense shadow. Stained glass combines these qualities with light shining through glowing colour, and the strong, expressive rhythms of the lead-lines.
She is haunted by the destiny of her People, and in her most personal work, creates a mosaic of images exploring her Jewish identity. She is inspired by ritual objects and symbols, the literature whose power and poetry resonates through the ages, and the drama of events in history. Above all, she seeks to commemorate people for whom there is no other memorial.
