About
Born 1979, Southampton, UK
Holly Brodie is a landscape painter based in suburban West London. She was brought up in rural Somerset and studied English at Oxford University (1998-2001), where she was encouraged to explore connections between literature and art, which continue to influence her practice. As an artist, she is self-taught.
Statement
I’m a landscape painter, but views are my own (in both senses of the word). The places in my paintings are sometimes based on real locations and sometimes invented – compilations of elements from photos, imagination and memory. Either way, the viewpoint is strongly subjective and increasingly I’ve found myself using a portrait format that takes in everything from telephone wires overhead to paving slabs underfoot, because those peripheral lines and shapes help to define the individual’s experience of a place.
Narratives emerge as I paint, prompted by associations with literature, art history or news reports, so my personal interests and attitudes contribute to the development of a scene, but the story continues to evolve with every person who looks at a piece and interprets it in their own way – each viewer has something to add.
Selected Exhibitions and Events
2023
Royal West of England Academy (Bristol) – Annual Open Exhibition (also 2005, 2007-15, 2018-20)
2022
ING Discerning Eye (Mall Galleries, London) – invited artist
2021
Figurative Art Now (Mall Galleries, London – online)
2019
The Russell Gallery (London, SW15) – Mixed Summer Exhibition (also 2014-18)
Bath Society of Artists (Victoria Art Gallery, Bath) – Annual Exhibition (also 2006)
Lynn Painter-Stainers Prize Exhibition (Mall Galleries, London; also 2015)
2018
The Russell Gallery (London, SW15) – Mixed Christmas Exhibition (also 2014-17)
The London Arts Board at The Alley Gallery (London, SE5) – Camberwell Arts Festival
2017
The John Ruskin Prize Shortlist Exhibition (Millennium Gallery, Sheffield)
Llewellyn Alexander (London, SE1) – ‘Not the Royal Academy’ (also 2007-16)
The London Arts Board (London, SE5) – A Retrospective
2016
Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year (Stowe)
The Discerning Eye (Mall Galleries, London)
Hay Hill Gallery (London, W1) – Group Show
Winter Pride Art Awards Exhibition (Islington Arts Factory, London)
2015
Art in Action (Waterperry, Oxfordshire)
National Open Art Competition (Royal College of Art, London)
The London Arts Board (London, SE5)
2014
Winter Pride Art Awards Exhibition (Lacey Contemporary Gallery, London, W11)
National Open Art Competition (Somerset House, London, and Minerva Theatre, Chichester)
GuardianWitness Awards (London, WC1)
Royal Society of British Artists (Mall Galleries, London) – Annual Exhibition* (also 2006, 2013)
*Winner of The Winsor & Newton Painting Award
2013
New English Art Club (Mall Galleries, London) – Annual Exhibition (also 2007)
Royal West of England Academy (Bristol) – ‘Reigning Cats and Dogs’
2012
Cork Street Open Exhibition (27-28 Cork Street, London; also 2011)
Llewellyn Alexander (London, SE1) – ‘The London Show 2012’
2010
Royal West of England Academy (Bristol) – Open Painting Exhibition (also 2005)
2009
Thompson’s Marylebone (London, W1) – Summer Show (also 2008)
The Affordable Art Fair (Battersea, London) – Bowlish Contemporary Gallery
2008
Royal Academy (London) – Summer Exhibition (also 2007)
2006
Pepperton Gallery (London, SE25) – Mixed Summer Exhibition
2005
Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA Gallery, Birmingham) – Open All Media Exhibition