top of page

Artist Statement

Chloe Barnes _ Studio 1.JPG
IMG_3626 copy.jpg

As an award-winning artist based in London, I create figurative monotypes that explore identity, particularly focusing on sexuality, the psyche, and the experiences of women, including my own. My work reinterprets outward appearances through distorted forms and masked faces, encouraging viewers to see themselves in the subjects and find resonance in the familiar and the reimagined.

 

Each piece begins with a feeling, which I follow freely, embracing the speed constraints and
unpredictability of the monoprinting process to ‘paint with print’ and push against conventional
ideas of perfection. Intuitive mark-making, expressive movements, and ‘mistakes’ are all integral to my approach: ink can smear, lines can bleed, and the mirrored image can look entirely different from the painted plate. By exploring my own experience through artistic introspection, I also aim to empower others to see themselves in new ways, outside of the personal, familial, and societal expectations to conform to traditional gender roles, authority, and power dynamics.

​

As part of my practice, I work with found film photography of anonymous subjects, combining these sources with my own self-portrait photos and charcoal studies to consider how we form who we are and our relationship to our bodies. In the final monoprinted artworks, I retain the white border of vintage snapshots to suggest a glimpse into something private: a window to look inward, without shame, enabling connection with intangible emotions and reframing perceived vulnerabilities.

 

My work has been exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy, Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, and the Royal Society of British Artists Bicentennial Exhibition, where I won the Hahnemühle Fine Art Award. In 2023, I was selected as a finalist for the ACS Studio Prize and The Margate Art Prize, judged by Tracey Emin. I hold an MA (Distinction) in Multi-Disciplinary Printmaking from the University of the West of England.

Education 

2021 - 2023

2016 - 2019

Distinction - Ma Multi-Disciplinary Printmaking, University West of  England

First (With Honors) - Ba Illustration, University West of England

Awards 

2024

2023

2023

2023

2023

2022

Awarded - Hesketh Hubbard Bursary 2025

Finalist - ACS Studio Prize

Awarded - Eaton Fund Grant

Finalist - The Margate Art Prize, judged by Tracey Emin

Awarded - RBS Hahnemühle Fine Art Award

Awarded - Intaglio Southbank Printmakers Prize

Press & Publications

2024

2023

2021

2021

Exhibitions 

2025

2025

​

2024

2024

2024

​

2023

2023

2023

2023

2023

2023

2023

2023

2023

​

2022

2022

2022

​

2019

2019

2019

​

2016

Solo Show, Thames-Side Studio (Woolwich) - London

Mortal and Strong Group Exhibition, (Gallery TBC) - London

​

Art for All Fundraising Auction, The Mall Gallery - Online

Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, Woolwich Works - London 

The Director's Cut - Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair - Online

​

Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, Woolwich Works - London

ACS Studio Prize x Gurr Johns, Gurr Johns International - Pall Mall, London

The Margate Art Prize, Ramsay & Williams Gallery - Margate

Bainbridge Open 2023, The Handbag Factory - London

Bath Fringe Arts Festival, 44AD Space - Bath

RSA Annual Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy - Edinburgh 

Open Studios, Spike Print Studio - Bristol

RBA Bicentennial Exhibition, The Mall Gallery - London

Ma Showcase, Paintworks - Bristol

​

Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, Woolwich Works - London

Southbank Miniprint Exhibition, Southbank Printmaker’s Gallery - London

Pop-Up Exhibition, St Mary's Calne - Calne

​

'Draw the Line' Group Show, Hoxton Arches - London

Ba Illustration Degree Show, UWE Bower Ashton - Bristol

Illustration Group show, Cass Art - Bristol

​

Solo Exhibition, Gloucester Guildhall - Gloucester

Professional Affiliation

2024 - Present

2024 - Present

2023 - Present

2023 - Present

Member of the Working Arts Club

Member of the Working Class Creative Database (WCCD)

Member of the Artist Collecting Society

Keyholder at Thames-Side Print Studio

bottom of page