From New Ideas to Unexpected Opportunities
Posted on Sep 06, 2026The past couple of months have brought an exciting new direction in my sculpture practice — and a series of opportunities I could never have anticipated when I first began exploring these new female forms.
I started experimenting with new ideas, materials and processes, developing a series of headless female figures. Removing individual identity has become an important part of the work, allowing the viewer to bring their own interpretation to these evolving figures and their identity.
The original first sculptures from this exploration will be exhibited in the RBSA Prize Exhibition in October, celebrating an international call for contemporary art.
Other works from the new series have already begun to find their own paths. Piece Of Us received the GreatArt Award at the New Emergence Art Prize, while others were exhibited at Flux 13 exhibition in Marylebone, London.
The Gabbie’s. Women In Art Awards Trophy Collaboration
And then came perhaps the most unexpected opportunity of all.
The work led to an exciting collaboration with the Women in Art Prize, and I was invited to create the trophies for the 2026 Awards.
The trophies are now finished. Each has been individually formed by hand, all unique as we are, continuing the ideas explored through the original sculptures but taking them into a very different context — sculptures created to celebrate the achievements of women artists.
On 16 September, the Gabbie’s will be presented to the winners at the Women in Art Prize Awards ceremony, at the British Library.
It feels particularly special to see this journey unfold: an initial period of experimentation with new ideas, materials and forms has resulted in exhibitions, recognition, an award and ultimately a collection of sculptures created to celebrate the achievements of other women artists.
Lines That Shape Us- the original inspiration for the Women In Art Prize Awards Trophies, Seated and Standing at The RBSA Prize 2026. Thank you to the esteemed selection panel:
Clare Mullet – Head of Collections, University of Birmingham, Sarah Priest – Regional Director Midlands, Bonhams Auctioneers and Robert Wenley – Deputy Director: Collections and Research, Barber Institute of Fine Arts, for both my entry selections, among 135 works from 115 artists. https://rbsa.org.uk/a-prize-2026-artists-announced/ .The Prize Exhibition is running from 1st to 31st October. 2026, at 5:00 PM. I hope you can join us at the Private View on Thursday 1st October from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM RBSA Gallery, 4 Brook St, Birmingham B3 1SA
Meanwhile, back to the horses:
My equine sculpture continues to develop alongside my figurative work, with several exciting opportunities this year.
Society of Equestrian Artists (SEA) has selected 3 of my sculptures for The Horse in Art 2026 Exhibition: Weathered, sculpted from life in a workshop at Keysoe Cuddle Therapy Ponies organised by SEA, Blurred Lines– yes, zebras are a distant cousin-and The Release.
The latter has also been featured in a horse magazine as part of its coverage of the exhibition. You can read the double page spread about the upcoming Horse in Art exhibition in this month’s Northern Horse Magazine, head to their website to read it for free!
https://indd.adobe.com/view/72865170-2150-4379-97c3-ca94d1a1132c
www.northernhorsemagazine.co.uk
Horse in Art 2026 (Society of Equestrian Artists): Hosted at the https://www.sallymitchell.com/Museum of the Horse at the Sally Mitchell Gallery in Tuxford, running from September 14 to September 26, 2026
The Art of Alchemy of The Alchemist Gallery, Looking ahead to October, my equine sculptures will also feature in the opening exhibition at a wonderful new gallery in Sheffield, I’m delighted to be part of. 2-31 October 382 Fulfors Road, Sheffield S10 3GD
Mid Wales Arts Open Call Ceramic Sculpture Exhibition. Delighted to be showing my portrait Terra Volcana and animal sculpture, including a Blue Hare, at Mid Wales Arts, which runs: 18th October – 19th December.
It is wonderful to see this side of my practice continuing to develop, with opportunities to show my work in galleries, exhibitions and specialist equestrian publications.
Currently Exhibiting At:
Cupola Contemporary Art Continuing on from their 35th Birthday Celebration, I am exhibiting a selection of my equine sculptures and The Last Polar Bear at Cupola Contemporary Art, 178, 178A Middlewood Rd, Sheffield S6 1TD.
Equine Sculptures at The Shipstone Gallery, 24 Church St, Shipston-on-Stour CV36 4AP
Tarpey Gallery, 77 High Street, Castle Donington, DE7 42PQ. Continuing on from their Open-Poised Equine sculpture.
Figurative, Equine and Animal Sculptures at Rose Pottery Gallery, 13 Tamworth Street WS13 6JP
Studio Work
Enjoying the intense creative process with new ideas, materials and vigour & making for upcoming exhibitions.
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