Now based in Bristol, Polly studied Art History at the University of St Andrews from 2012. Having always painted for pleasure, and unencumbered by any formal art training, she tentatively began selling in 2020.

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Polly then attended an art fair in 2021 and, following a successful solo show in 2022, decided to make painting her sole occupation. Polly grew up in East Devon and has always felt a strong connection with the landscape and the sea. This tends to inform the basis of her paintings. Using a variety of mixed media, her paintings seek to capture a fleeting moment or emotion while celebrating the joy of gestural mark making. Her approach is largely intuitive; the paintings unfold and develop almost of their own accord and aim to invite the viewer to find an emotional connection within the painting.

“I am a huge fan of the Abstract Expressionist movement in mid twentieth century America and draw inspiration from artists of this period. I also enjoy the juxtaposition between quite a physical and expressive painting process and more contemplative elements of deep calm within a painting. I seek to use both processes in my work and a painting will often begin in a very gestural way before gradually finding a resolution with softer, more considered marks.”

2023 Chelsea Arts Society, Summer Exhibition, London

2023 The Russell Gallery, Summer Show, London

2022 The Square Club Solo Show, Bristol

2021 Wild Swimming Solo Show, The Art Cohort, Bath