QUALIFICATIONS
09/2019 – 07/2021: MFA (Master of Fine Art) with commendation, Belfast School of Art Ulster University, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
09/2016 - 07/2019: 1st class honours - Fine Art Painting, Bachelors of Arts with honours, Belfast School of Art Ulster University, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
09/2015- 05/2016: Distinction, Foundation diploma in Art and Design, Belfast Metropolitan College, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
EXHIBITIONS
UPCOMING SHOWS
2025, Creative Peninsula Annual Exhibition Georgian Gallery, Ards Art Centre, Newtownards, Northern Ireland.
2025, This Beautiful Place (Group Show), Newtownards Tourist Information Centre, Northern Ireland.
PREVIOUS SHOWS
2024, Creative Peninsula Exhibition North Down Museum, Bangor , Northern Ireland.
2024, Creative Peninsula Annual Exhibition Georgian Gallery, Ards Art Centre, Newtownards, Northern Ireland.
2023, Through Others Eyes (Solo exhibition), Georgian Gallery, Ards Art Centre, Newtownards, Northern Ireland.
2023, Creative Peninsula Annual Exhibition (I was Featured Artist), Georgian Gallery, Ards Art Centre, Newtownards, Northern Ireland.
2022, This Divine Land (Solo exhibition), Arts for All Gallery, Cityside Shopping Centre, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
2021/22 - Winter Exhibition, Engine Room Gallery, Belfast Northern Ireland
2021, Presence of Absence Group Show, Queen Street Studios, Belfast, Northern Ireland
2021, Platform Postcards (Group pop up show), Platform Art Gallery, Belfast
2021, Here / Not Here, MFA Final Showcase online, Belfast School of Art, Ulster University, Belfast Northern Ireland
https://mfafineartbelfast.wixsite.com/2021/lauren
2021, Not Here / Here, MFA Final Showcase (physical celebration), Arts for All Gallery, Cityside Shopping Centre, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
2021, E- Quadrant (part 2) ONLINE MFA interim Review Show, Facilitated by Catalyst Art Gallery & Belfast School of Art Ulster University, Belfast Northern Ireland
https://catalystarts0.wixsite.com/e-quadrantmfa2021
This Exhibition was primarily Online due to the pandemic, as a Cohort we Installed the show in our studios, provided our own documentation, with the help of Catalyst Gallery we created a website, we delivered online tours to the public via BB-collaborate and created a Zine to allow the public to engage with something tangible.
2021, Studio Ephemera, Glass Box, in foyer of Belfast school of Art, Ulster University, Belfast Northern Ireland.
Studio Ephemera was the sister show to E-Quadrant, it was a collaborative installation of works in a ground floor space which was accessible to view in a shop front fashion, in was used as a director to the online show. The show itself was to aid in the understanding of the process and practice of each artists work. Inviting the viewer into a behind the scenes look.
2020, Battletown Gallery Winter exhibition, Newtownards, Northern Ireland.
Annual group exhibition of primarily Painters based in Northern Ireland, as an act of involvement in my local art scene due to moving and a great opportunity to show alongside established artists.
2020,@SUPPORTINGARTS_ Instagram exhibition (ONLINE)
An opportunity to present work via an online platform during the height of the pandemic.
2020,MFA artist Collaboration Instagram residency (ONLINE) with Chloe Austin
A Collaborative online residency where Artist Chloe Austin (recent MFA graduate) and myself responded to each others work, pushing us out of are comfort zones and aided in the production of work during Lockdown.
2019, Painting Degree Show, Belfast School of Art Ulster University, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
My Graduating Degree Show for Art College in June 2019 which lead to gallery representation opportunities (Canvas) and pursuing further education going on to study my masters.
2019, MMM7 - Body Language, Rspace Gallery Lisburn, Lisburn, Northern Ireland.
Six artists from Northern Ireland, selected from an open call as part of our Materials, Messages and Meaning series. Now in its seventh year, these exhibitions explore artists' different approaches to materials, methods of production and messages within their work.
This year we have selected artists who have responded to the theme ‘Body Language’, and the chosen works include photography, ceramics, oils & acrylics, and digitally projected interactive BSL poetry.
2019, ‘Void’ Collaborative Photography Exhibition, Students union/ UUBCU Ulster University, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
An annual student lead photography exhibition and competition
2018, ‘Chiaroscuro’ Collaborative Photography Exhibition, Students union/ UUBCU Ulster University, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
An annual student lead photography exhibition and competition
2017, Exquisite Corpse, Goose Lane Gallery, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Exquisite/ Sculptural Corpse, was a curated Group Exhibition by established Artist Drydan Wilson. The show was based in Goose Lane Gallery, Belfast April 2017, as an Graduate this group show experience was invaluable in the development of my professional practice.
2016, Foundation Final Show, Milfield Campus - Belfast Metropolitan College, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
AWARDS, MEMBERSHIPS, REPRESENTATION, BURSERIES, RESIDENCIES AND OTHER
2025, Artist in Residence, Creative Peninsula, Newtownards Town Hall, Northern Ireland.
2023, Creative Peninsula Featured Artist
2022, Longlisted for the British Contemporary Painting Prize .
2022, Professional Member of Visual Artist Ireland
2021, Shortlisted for RDS (Royal Dublin Society Visual Art Awards)
2021, Longlisted for RDS (Royal Dublin Society Visual Art Awards)
2021, Awarded the Siobhan McQuade Memorial Prize
2021, Representation from Yard Gallery, Hollywood
2021, Representation from Gallery 1608, Bushmills
2021, Representation from Arts for All, Belfast
2021, Podcast Artist Feature, Buoy Park Podcast, episode 24
2020, Associate Fellow of HEA (Higher Education Academy/ Authority)
I attained this Associate Fellowship status through my voluntary work as Foundation Degree Art Demonstrator at Ulster University Belfast.
2020, Awarded Residency at Tyrone Guthrie Centre
I was Awarded a bursary for a one-week residency at Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Monoghan, Ireland by Lisburn City Council. Awarded for year 2019-2020.
2019-20, Representation from Canvas Galleries, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
2019- PRESENT, Representation from Unique Art Shop, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
RELEVANT WORK EXPIRENCE
02-2025 to present, Social Media and Design
Oversee and develop the House Church NI's digital presence through social media management, original content creation, and consistent visual branding. Create graphics and visual assets for digital platforms, print materials, event visuals, and screens using Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, Canva, and Premiere Pro. Support event management and contribute to website development, and in-house communications; ensuring consistent branding and engagement across all touchpoints. Skilled in videography, photography, typography, graphic design, and illustration. Experienced in coordinating volunteers, and maintaining clear communication across departments to ensure smooth project delivery and team alignment.
04-2021 to 06-2021, Temporary Art Technician
This role involves the preparation of resources, ordering supplies, supporting students and teachers, assisting in classes, leading occasion workshops with GCSE / Alevel students and one on one assistance to pupils with educational needs. This two day a week / part time work in a school allows me a stable income to pursue my work as an artist but also follow one of my passions engaging with students and sharing my knowledge.
10-2019 to 10-2020, Voluntary Foundation Degree Demonstrator
Foundation degree Art and Design, Belfast School of Art
Leading Life Drawing Classes, preparing briefs and taking one to one informal tutorial’s, working under the supervision of foundation painting tutor Jerry Devlin. Developing my own professional practice and teaching at a Higher Education standard. I was facilitating students and working with a team to deliver workshops. This has been paused due to Covid pandemic.
10-2017 to 10-2019, Arts Care NI Placement
Volunteering for ArtsCare NI involved working in health care environments using art to change the atmosphere and space. I had a weekly placement in Musgrave hospital and the Cancer centre, city hospital. I shadowed artist Cheryl Bleakly, facilitated work with patients on a one to one basis and painted in waiting areas to help promote a positive environment. This is alongside assisting with ArtsCare workshops and the installation of Exhibitions, gaining curating skills and an awareness of space is visual display.
11-2013 to 11-2013, Voluntary Art Technician
Voluntary work experience. In this role, I assisted and shadowed an Art teacher. This involved the preparation of resources, planning classes and one on one assistance to pupils with educational needs.