Elizabeth Bessant moves back to her artist route with a new exhibition at Ad Lib Gallery in Wimbledon Village this March.
This exhibition is called ‘Refashioned’ a reference to her career as a designer and that her source material for this exhibition of mixed media collages of ocean and landscapes, pop idols and icons comes from the glossy fashion magazines. Cutting and repositioning photos, logos and textures creates images that show how brands and fashion have influenced us and inspired our life choices. Words and comments are added as an observation on contemporary life.
She then coats the images with a high gloss resin, this reinstalls the glossy world of luxury brands and pop culture on the gallery wall where it makes a new statement.
An award-winning artist whose work has gone full circle, Elizabeth started her career as a silkscreen printmaker in the 1980s’ exhibiting at the Royal Academy and many UK galleries including exhibitions in New York, Los Angeles and Paris. Her journey has taken her through 28 years as a couture designer where fashion became her medium of expression dressing society women, couture brides and celebrities.
The world of luxury brands, advertising and media has influenced her work as she steps away from fashion and returns to her artist roots. Elizabeth appeared in Sky Arts ‘Landscape Artist of the Year’ in 2022 and was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Artists in 2018.
Elizabeth says: ‘It’s the artist’s role to continually question and influence how people perceive the world.’
Born in Reading, Berkshire in 1958, Elizabeth was always destined to be an artist. From her early years, she was constantly drawing, painting, sewing and model making. But her dream was to be a fine artist. Four years at Newport College of Art specialising in silkscreen printmaking led her to Tredegar House, a local stately home to draw and gather inspiration for a series of silkscreen prints for her degree show.
Months before graduating Elizabeth decided the time was right to submit one of her Tredegar House silkscreen prints to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. It was accepted and the edition sold out, thus launching her a career as an artist.
‘Refashioned’ exhibition will take place from 15 – 24 March at the Ad Lib Gallery, 10 Church Road, Wimbledon Village, SW19 5DL
Monday 10.30am-4.30pm
Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am-5.30pm
Sunday 10.30am-4.30pm
For more information regarding the exhibition, please email Elizabeth at info@elizabethbessant.co.uk or visit the website here.
