Solly Solomon is a British-New Zealand figurative painter and Academician of The South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts.
Artist Statement
“I'm fascinated by the relationship between trauma and creativity, and how personal experience can shape artistic expression. In my practice, I am driven by the need to translate raw emotion into paint, using the canvas as a space for catharsis and reflection. At the heart of my work is an exploration of the interplay between realism and abstraction—where fragmented forms and shifting perspectives challenge conventional notions of reality, creating a visual language that mirrors the complexities of human experience.
“My theatrical background plays a pivotal role in shaping the aesthetic and costuming of my models, particularly through the use of makeup and Elizabethan-style ruffs. These elements have evolved beyond mere adornment, becoming powerful symbols of both physical disguise and emotional concealment. Through my work, I explore the delicate boundary between reality and illusion, using costume and mask as metaphors for the layers of identity we construct and the emotions we choose to shield from view.
“Painting has been an integral part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a child, I had the privilege of learning watercolour painting from my Gran, an experience that offered me an early and invaluable insight into the world of painting. To this day, art remains profoundly important to me—not just as a creative outlet, but as a way to maintain a deep and enduring connection with her.”
Awards
2023 The London Invitational Art Award
2023 The Lawrence Coulson Art Award
2021 Winner of The Hollybush Emerging Woman Painter Prize of 2021
Exhibitions (Group & Solo)
2025 Galeria Moderna Spring Exhibition, Grand Arcade, Cambridge
2025 Finalist in Raw Umber Studios Image Reference Prize
2024 South West Academy, Open Exhibition, Kennaway House, Sidmouth
2024 New Bath Arts Club, Inaugural Exhibition, Roper Gallery, Bath
2024 ‘Fiesta!’, Group Show with ArtCan, Inky Fingers Gallery, Hackney, London,
2024 Society of Women Artists 163rd Annual Exhibition, The Mall Galleries, London
2024 Stroud Artists Cooperative, 100 Artists Exhibition, Lansdown Gallery, Stroud
2024 South West Academy Exhibition, Delamore Arts, Ivybridge, Devon
2024 South West Academy Exhibition, Thelma Hubert Gallery, Honiton, Devon
2023 Galeria Moderna Winter Exhibition, Grand Arcade, Cambridge
2023 Stroud Artists Cooperative Woodruff’s Exhibition, Woodruff’s Stroud
2023 Stroud Artists Cooperative Winter Exhibition, Lansdown Gallery, Stroud
2023 Amplifying Kindness with Art - A virtual Instagram Exhibition, Time for Kindness & ArtCan
2023 Galeria Moderna Summer Exhibition, Grand Arcade, Cambridge
2023 Studio 18 Open Exhibition, Stroud
2023 ‘From ArtCan with Love’, Bermondsey Project Space, London
2023 Winner of The London Invitational Art Awards, Galeria Moderna, Castle Fine Art, Mayfair, London
2023 ‘Ways of Seeing’, Group Show, Lansdown Gallery, Stroud
2023 ‘A Glorious Journey’, Group Show with ArtCan for Morgan Philips UK, Different Gallery, Fitzrovia, London
2022 South West Academy Open Exhibition, Kennaway House, Sidmouth, Devon
2022 Society of Women Artists 161st Annual Exhibition, The Mall Galleries, London
2022 Stroud Artists Cooperative En Plein Air Exhibition, Stroud
2022 Quality Art Foundation Finalists Exhibition, Kings Road, Chelsea, London
2022 The Hollybush Emerging Woman Painter Prize, Lauderdale House, Highgate, London
2022 ‘Conversations in Therapy’, Solo Show, The Art Space, Cass Art, Islington, London
2022 Stroud Artists Cooperative Annual Group Show, Lansdown Gallery, Stroud
2022 Royal Cambrian Academy RCA Annual Open Exhibition, Conway
2021 Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London - (online)
2021 Zebra One Gallery, Hampstead, London
2021 Tyndale Arts Week, Gloucestershire
2021 Studio 18 Open Exhibition, Stroud
2021 Stroud Artists Cooperative Annual Group Show, Lansdown Gallery, Stroud
2021 Figurative Art Now, Federation of British Artists, Mall Galleries, London - (online)
2021 Winner of The Hollybush Emerging Woman Painter Prize of 2021
2021 London Art Biennale, Chelsea Old Town Hall, London
2021 Stroud Artists Cooperative Art Fair, Subscription Rooms, Stroud
2020 Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London - (online)
2019 Long listed for the Jacksons Open Painting Prize
2019 Totterdown Arts Trail, Bristol
2015 Tobacco Factory Bristol, joint exhibition with Joe Greenaway
2014 The National Space Centre, Leicester
2013 The Eclectic Selves. Parlour Showroom, Bristol
2013 The Bristol Fringe, Solo Show
2013 Camaradas UK & México art competition. Official Residence of Mexico, London.
2012 Easton Arts Trail, Bristol
2011 Easton Arts Trail, Bristol
Memberships
2023- Academician of the South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts
2023- Member New Bath Arts Club
2021- Member of ArtCan
2021- Member of Stroud Artists Cooperative
Publications
2021 The London Art Biennale, Exhibition Catalogue
Interviews
2023 Behind the Artist, Interview with Sophie Skelton
2023 Galeria Moderna & The London Invitational Winners, The Cass Art Blog
Relevant Professional Experience
2010-2012 Scenic Artist, Welsh National Opera. Working on productions for companies including Welsh National Opera, English National Opera, Opera North, Glyndebourne, The Royal Opera House, The Royal Ballet and the BBC.
2009 Work experience at The National Theatre, London
2009 Work experience at Theatre Royal Plymouth
2006 Work experience at Johnathan Saunders, London
Education
2008-2009 Post Graduate Diploma in Scenic Art, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
2004-2007 BA Hons Degree in Textiles, University of the West of England
2002-2003 Diploma in Art Foundation Studies, University of the West of England