June News: Exhibitions galore and figurative life workshop

Posted on Jun 30, 2025

June has been full of creative energy, exhibitions, private views, and unexpected moments of inspiration. While I didn’t get as much time with clay as I’d have liked, the month has been so rich in artistic encounters, meaningful feedback, and conversations that will stay with me.

Society of Women Artists’ 164th Annual Exhibition.

A standout moment was exhibiting at the Mall Galleries for the Society of Women Artists’ 164th Annual Exhibition. What an honour to be part of such a thoughtfully curated and wonderfully diverse show, celebrating women artists of all ages from across the UK and beyond, exhibiting my female portrait sculpture, Layers of Being. Unfortunately, the summer heat prevented Princess Michael of Kent from attending the awards ceremony, but her Lady-in-Waiting represented her beautifully. It was incredible to exhibit among such international talent.

A special thank you to my daughter Millie, whose encouragement continues to push me further than I’d normally go, and to Julie Cross, whose artwork on the call-out post caught my eye again and again until I finally took the leap and entered. Thank you both for the continued support and inspiring art chats!

An incredible day at The Mall Galleries, with The changing of the Guard, a stroll down the Mall to Buckingham Palace, through the park and some fizz cocktails in The Ritz Rivoli Bar with a wonderful Tamara de Lempika Art Deco portrait above the till.

New Work: Sculpture Lounge Summer Exhibition

Thrilled to be exhibiting new contemporary equine sculptures at this Selected Summer Show, experimenting with new layered finishes and forms in the studio last month. I had a wonderful evening at the private view, which was packed, buzzing and accompanied by Anne, who has been a wonderful model for my work in progress portrait.

The exhibition housed a wonderful collection of contemporary figurative sculpture and art, including the fabulous animal sculptures by Brendan Hesmondhalgh and Jamie Frost’s bold figure marks in his emotive paintings. I have had the pleasure of exhibiting alongside Bren Head at the Cupola Gallery, and I am always drawn to her multi-layered colourful portraits. Bren was at the private view, and Jamie Frost said he would introduce me to her, but then couldn’t see her amongst the crowds. I asked for a description. After several interesting and random conversations with women of a certain age with grey short hair, I met some lovely ladies, but alas, not Bren. Another time!

Another private view of this exhibition at The Sculpture Lounge, this time part of the Holmfirth Art Festival, is on Friday, 4th July, 18:00 – 20:30 Open Studios 20:30 – 22:00 Music and social.

4 days of life!

Four intense and rewarding days on a figurative life sculpting course with the incredibly talented Andrian Melka. His guidance continues to push me beyond my usual “sketches in clay” and challenges me to truly see, to capture not just the form but the subtle, finite details of the figure. Exhausting and exhilarating in equal measure!

Cupola Gallery. Inside / Outside

More of my equine sculptures, including Arc of Balance, are featured in Inside / Outside. These ceramic stoneware sculptures can be displayed both inside your home, office or outside due to their high fire temperatures and resilient glazing. I am thrilled that this exhibition has been extended to 12th July due to its warm reception and some new fans of these equine pieces! Shown alongside Judy Logan’s striking crow etchings.

Work in Progress

New pieces are starting to take shape. Rested, quiet, contemplative, and layered with meaning. I’m exploring ageing, care, memory, the quiet weight of isolation, themes of belonging and the unseen impact of caring for elderly parents or relatives. These works reflect how care responsibilities, especially for older loved ones, can deeply affect many lives, often shaped by societal, financial, geographic, and family constraints. It’s a space filled with tenderness, tension, and complexity.

London Gallery visits

Universal Self-Hanneke Beaumont. Bowman Gallery.

I had the great sensory pleasure of visiting Hanneke Beaumont’s exhibition at the wonderful Bowman Gallery. A deeply moving collection of raw, timeless figures that explore our shared humanity. Her work is quiet, strong, and vulnerable all at once. Until the 19th June, 2025 – 25th July, 2025. Bowman Sculpture 6 Duke Street, St James’s, London SW1Y 6BN.

New English Art Club (NEAC) Annual Exhibition at The Mall Galleries

Members and non-members contemporary painting, drawing and printmaking (sadly no sculpture). Another standout work by Manny Woodard whom I was exhibiting my Evolution primate drawings at RBSA Drawing Prize, and whose work featured in their catalogue.

Peter Clossick’s three heavily textured figures were also very intriguing and hard not to touch, but divided opinion among some other visitors. But isn’t it great that we all have different opinions?

National Gallery.

Always worth a trip to see some classics. Vincent van Gogh-Sunflowers 1888 and Two Crabs 1889. Edouard Manet-Woman with a Cat. c. 1880.

Supporting one another in life and art.

For many neurodivergent individuals among us, just getting “out there” and living fully can be challenging. That’s why Lewis Capaldi’s Glastonbury moment a couple of years ago was so powerful; the way the crowd supported him when he couldn’t finish his set, and welcomed him back again, was deeply moving. We never truly know what others are carrying. But when we offer support and create space through listening and art, we all grow, and diverse voices can be heard.

Galleries I am exhibiting in through July

Sculpture Lounge Summer Exhibition. Showing new equine sculptures, Poised, Forward, Legacy of the War Horse at this Selected Summer Show, which is also part of the Holmfirth Art Festival Private View on Friday 4th July! Sculpture Lounge Holmbridge Mill, Bank Lane, Holmbridge, Holmfirth, HD9 2NE

Cupola Gallery. More of my equine sculptures, including Arc of Balance, are featured in this exhibition, Inside / Outside, extended to 12th July Cupola Gallery. 178, 178A Middlewood Rd, Sheffield S6 1TD

Rose Patterson Art Gallery. Weston Park. Selected group WSA Summer Exhibition at this wonderful space, showcasing Polar Opposites and Noble Mariner. Private View Saturday 5th July 2-4 pm. The exhibition runs from 3rd to 31st July. Rose Patterson Art Gallery. Weston Park Weston-under-Lizard, Shifnal TF11 8LE

July is going to be another busy month of exhibitions and Gallery visits, but with some much-needed studio time working on new projects and ideas.

Look forward to sharing these. Have a great July!