Barnes
Artist Statement
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