5–27 April, Wednesday to Saturday, 12–5 pm
Phoenix Art Space, Waterloo Place, Brighton BN2 9NB www.phoenixartspace.org

Drawing inspiration from Elizabethan and Flemish portraiture, the paintings blend tradition with the absurd, where symbols of protection and restriction —such as the rigid ruff and the isolating helmet— contrast with gestures of defiance and self-exploration.

Expect to see women in ambiguous spaces, caught between concealment and revelation. One kneels in frustration; another clutches a helmet like a burden or relic, while others meet the viewer’s gaze with a regal, alien intensity. The paintings aim to create a surface that is both inviting and unsettling, describing a space where humour, vulnerability, and strength collide.

You are most welcome to visit during the main gallery opening hours, 12–5pm Wednesday to Sunday. If you would like to combine this with a personal tour or a studio visit, please contact me.,

Click here for works in the exhibition.

Click here for exhibition review by Fine Art Ruminations