Vanessa Garwood
Biography
Born in 1982, Vanessa’s work initially focused on portraiture and in developing a language of oil painting through both commissions and her own subjects. These themes ranged from narrative storytelling, male nules, dancers, also performance collaboration. In 2020 her practice shifted in subject and medium to include acrylics and ceramics, working to explore more personal themes. These recent paintings observe contemporary women, giving weight to moments or feelings that are perhaps awkward or unseen. They are fragments of the artist’s memories and imagination, often using satire to express an empathy and compassion for conflicting emotions.
Recent Exhibtions and events
‘Story Circles’, Sim Smith London, solo show, Sept 2025
/ Residency at ‘Anchor Studios’ Newlyn, BSJW Trust 2025 ‘Fractured Venus’, Cooke Latham Gallery London , group show, Jan 2025
‘In Una Brezza Leggera’ Fondazione Memmo Rome, group show, Dec 2024
/ Residency at ‘Anchor Studios’ Newlyn, BSJW Trust 2024. ‘Present Tense’ Hauser & Wirth Somerset, Group show Jan 2024
/ ‘Vessel’ Group show, OHSH projects London, August 2024
Solo show Vanessa Garwood at PMAM Gallery 2024 ‘Poison’ Group show, OHSH projects London, Dec 2023 ‘Small is Beautiful’ Group Show, Flowers 2022 National Portrait Gallery, Group show BP award, 2020
/ National Portrait Gallery, Group show BP award, 2019
/ ‘Dancing Lines’ Royal Opera House, Paul Hamlyn Hall, 2019 National Portrait Gallery, Group show BP award, 2018
. Solo show ‘And is it True’, Rook and Raven gallery 2015