EXHIBITIONS
In the midst of the global lockdown in 2020, Karen took inspiration from the #portraitfornhsheroes project, a heartfelt tribute to the dedicated healthcare workers at the forefront of the pandemic. Karen’s poignant pieces captured the resilience and humanity of these unsung heroes, resonating deeply with audiences. The success of the project culminated in a prestigious touring exhibition and a touching publication created by Tom Croft. Karen likes to reflect on ordinary observations of her surroundings and her subsequent exhibitions reflect this. You can find details of past exhibitions and forthcoming projects below.
AFTER THE STORM 2021
Going into the second year of the Corona pandemic I wanted to depict the exhaustion of the NHS workers, how we hold them up as heroes but the government still fails to recognise them by offering a 1% pay increase.
Also I wanted to celebrate the team that is behind the mass vaccination project in my town of York.
NHS HEROES
Inspired by a call to artist by Tom Croft’s #portraitsfornhsheroes to complete a free portrait in appreciation of the NHS during the 2020 pandemic, I painted a series of 24. Some of the ‘sitters’ are friends, including one of my daughter, but mostly I connected with them through facebook as they come from all over Britian. Through doing the portraits I feel I was given a real window into their stories, some of which were very moving, but a real sense of community shone throughout them all
Exhibited; York Art Gallery, Pocklington Art Centre, City screen York
Published; Portraits for NHS heroes-Bloomsbury Caravel
Featured; BBC Look North BBC National News
DEMENTIA-
BETWEEN THE LINES
After losing my Mum to dementia I produced a series of 12 portraits, in 2019, focusing on the disease from the view point of the family/carers. This was a very personal and cathartic journey for me as, although I wanted to paint them in the moment as they are now, I realised this wasn’t who they were and who they were now makes them who they are. Watching your loved one slowly disappear in front of you is harrowing but peppered between that are little capsules of recognition and joy
Exhibited; Spark, York, York Teaching hospital, City screen York
MEMORIES
Sometimes there are moments in your life that make you stand still and reflect on the things that are truly important to you; people, places and memories. This is a series of painting I did during one such moment.
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8 June - 8 July Pinzellades Gallery, Alaior, Menorca
1 - 26 March Station Gallery, Richmond
11 May-9 June Harlow Carr, Harrogate
13 May -31 August York teaching hospital
23 November Southbank Studios Winter Fair, Southlands church, Bishopthorpe road York
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2023 York Open Studios
2023 Harlow Carr, Harrogate
2023 York Teaching Hospital, our beautiful country
2022 York Open Studios
2021 York Vaccination centre, Tadcaster Road, York. Portraits for NHS heroes
2021 Hull Marina. Portraits for NHS heroes
2021 Ferens Gallery Hull. Michaela,
2021 York Open Studios
2021 York Teaching Hospital. Between the Lines
2020 York Art Gallery. Portraits for NHS heroes
2020 City screen York. Portraits for NHS heroes
2020 Pocklington Arts Centre. Portraits for NHS heroes
2019 City Screen York. Between the Lines
2019 Sparks York. Between the Lines
2018 York Open Studios
2016 York Open Studios