Hi, my name’s Penny. I live in Mid Wales, UK.
Artist Bio
Penny Tristram is an embroidery artist whose mood is lifted by bright, saturated colours. Her mission is to create objects and images which share this sense of joy, beauty and euphoria with fellow humans. She sells work internationally and is currently represented by Space Gallery in Machynlleth.
After growing up in rural Somerset, United Kingdom, Penny moved to London in 2003 to complete her BA in Drawing at Camberwell, University of the Arts London. This was a time when conceptual and installation art was foremost in the collective consciousness, as a result of the recent success of the Young British Artist movement. Art schools, at least in the UK, were training their students primarily in this genre, with a focus on concepts and ideas over practical realisation. As a result, although she graduated, Penny was disillusioned after art school, feeling creatively blocked and lacking confidence in her practical skills and abilities.
In 2012, as a consequence of treating herself to a studio space at the bohemian and nurturing Hamilton House in Bristol, UK, Penny began painting again, focusing on nostalgic childhood toys, and won three awards in 2013, including second place in the International Art Kudos exhibition for her painting “Pikachu.”
In 2014 she co-founded the hen party (bachelorette) life drawing agency Hens with Pens, which has grown into a national business, and has so far hosted many thousands of drawing parties across the UK. In 2019 Penny stepped down as managing director (CEO) in order to pursue her MA in Illustration with Falmouth University and focus more deeply on the process and quality of her own artmaking. She now works from a beautiful studio space in her 19th century slate cottage in Mid Wales, with a view of the Snowdonia mountains as a companion.
CV/Resume
Exhibitions:
YR HEN FIESTRESS/OLD MISTRESS - MOMA Machynlleth 2024
NEITH O’M PARA/IT WON’T LAST - Machynlleth August 2023
TY AGORED HAF/SUMMER OPEN HOUSE - Machynlleth - June 2023
TY AGORED GWANWYN/SPRING OPEN HOUSE - Machynlleth - March 2022
TY AGORED NADOLIGAIDD/ FESTIVE OPEN HOUSE - Machynlleth - December 2021
PWYTHO PENNOD/STITCH STORIES - Avondale, Machynlleth - August 2021
THERE ARE THINGS WE DID IN LOCKDOWN / MAE’R RHIAN YN BETHAU Y GWNAETHON NI YN YSTOD Y CYFYNGIADAU SYMUD. - The Bike Shed Gallery/Yr Oriel Lloches Beiciau, Machynlleth, 21-23 May 2021
Artist’s Walk - Dyfi Wholefoods, Machynlleth, UK - December 2020 - SOLO
Open studio - Stiwdios Y Plas Studios, Machynlleth UK - November 2018-May 2019
What Art You Laughing At – Yinka Shonibare Guest Projects, London – March 2016
Grimm Sisters – Bristol – October 2015 - TWO PERSON
Coexist Open Studios – Bristol – September 2015
Hamilton House – Artist of the Month – February 2014
Portraits – Parlour Showrooms, Bristol – July 2013
In Living Colour – Grant Bradley Gallery, Bristol – August 2013
PLAYTIME- Urban Design Studios, Bristol, May – June 2013. - TWO PERSON
Cornucopia – Grant Bradley Gallery, Bristol, February 2013
Out of the Life Room – Grant Bradley Gallery, Bristol, June 2012
Cut Click Mail Art – Discovery Centre, Cleethorpes, October 2010
Group Show – Pogo, London, January 2010
Hackney Wicked, London, July 2009
Home – Homerton House Gallery, London, June 2009
Rah Rah Rah – Redgate Gallery, London, 2004
Awards:
Honourable Mention – Visionary Art Collective / Finding Sanctuary - March 2021
People’s Choice Award – ArtisTTable Art Des Femmes – December 2013
Second Prize – ArtKudos International Juried Exhibition
August 2013
Pikachu: http://pinterest.com/pin/107945722291045765/
Third Prize – People are People
ArtisTTable
May 2013
Third Place Winner in the People Are People Exhibition.
Figurative Art Prize – Special Recognition
Light, Space and Time
June 2013
Light, Space and Time 2013 Figurative Art Awards: Special Recognition. Pikachu: http://pinterest.com/pin/107945722291045765/
Teaching/Events:
2022 - Associate Lecturer, BA Advertising, BA PR, BA Digital media, London College of Communication
2022 - Visiting lecturer, MA fine art, Falmouth University.
2021 - Drawing Workshop leader, Mapio Sain Ein 5 Milltir Sgwâr’ / ‘Soundmapping Our 5 Square Miles
2018-present Owner at Hens with Pens
2014- 2018. Life drawing tutor and managing partner at Hens with Pens
2012-2014 Bristol and Somerset: Life drawing tuition for groups including Girl Guides, Womens’ Institute, hen parties, and private classes.
April 2014: Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery.
Volunteer drawing leader: Jeremy Deller’s English Magic, with Bristol Drawing Club
Achievements:
Co-founded Hens with Pens, a national life drawing agency that has brought fun and inspiration to many thousands of parties across the UK for the last 8 years.
Co-founded Stiwdios Y Plas Studios, a shared working studio and workshop space in Machynlleth, Wales. The space hosted a launch evening in November 2018.
Qualifications:
Falmouth University, MA Illustration. Merit. 2021
Camberwell College of Arts, University of the Arts, London. BA Drawing. 2:1 2006