Hester Berry

Hester Berry: My practice is rooted in traditional representation and methods. However I constantly challenge my understanding of “painting” and explore ways paint can represent effects such as light, time, movement and climate. However I use the marks available to me as economically as possible, distilling the image, feeling and moment into what is necessary, so that through objective representation there is enough room for subjective interpretation.

INSPIRATION

Having grown up in rural Devon I have always been interested in landscape and the environment. Although my traditional university training in Aberystwyth nurtured this interest. Which also led me to explore life drawing and portraiture. However after continuing my studies to complete an MA in Fine Art in Wimbledon, I taught life drawing and painting in Brighton and London. Furthermore I have recently returned to Devon where I now live and work.

In addition to her painting Hester Berry has recently published a book on Life Drawing in conjunction with the Tate.

Awards

Shortlisted
2015 Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year
2014 Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year
2014 The BP Portrait Award

Awarded
2015 The Stride Open, The Stride Cup
2014 Westward Ho! And Bideford Art Society Ken Doughty Prize
2011 Biscuit Factory Foundation, People’s Choice Young Artist of the Year
2008 Geoffrey Crawshay Memorial Travelling Scholarship

Residencies.

National Trust, Hester Berry Artist in Residence at The Cabin at Bucks Mills. Finally artist in residence in the Fisherman’s shelter.