Sussex-based visual artist Carol Wagstaff is an international award-winning multi-media artist, whose work over the past two decades has centred on humanitarian and environmental issues.
Wagstaff studied at St Albans School of Art & Design and received a BA(Hons) at the University of Hertfordshire. She’s been featured in several international juried exhibitions in the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Europe and Japan. Museum exhibitions and residential projects include the Museum of Art Chicano, Italy. Tracks 3 Amsterdam, and Garlic & Saphires in The Mud @ The Jersey Gallery, Osterley Park, London.
Her work can be found in private and corporate collections globally.
Personal Statement
My art practice is informed by my observations of the minutiae of nature, the beauty and mystery of our universal landscape, and the complexities of the human condition. As a visual artist, I draw, paint, sculpt, and photograph my way through these observations. This journey has been akin to an archaeological dig, unearthing and scratching away until something is revealed.
Each piece I create is a meditation on the intricate details of the world around us. Through drawing, I capture the fleeting moments and delicate forms that often go unnoticed. Painting allows me to explore the interplay of light and colour, delving into the emotional resonance of a scene. Sculpting provides a tactile connection to the materiality of existence, shaping and reshaping until the essence of my subject emerges. Photography, on the other hand, serves as both a tool for documentation and a medium for abstract expression, freezing moments in time and offering new perspectives on the familiar.
This process of creation is deeply intuitive and reflective. It mirrors the act of excavation, where layers are meticulously removed to uncover hidden truths. The resulting artworks are not just representations, but revelations—windows into the subtle, profound, and often enigmatic aspects of life. Through my work, I aim to invite viewers to look closer, to question, and to find their own meanings within the intricate tapestry of the world we share.
Selected Exhibitions
2023
Contemporary Art Sullington Co-Curator /Artist.
2022
The Discerning Eye. The Oxmarket Contemporary Open 2022.
2021
The London Art Biennale.
2020
The Discerning Eye.
2019
The Ruth Borchard Portrait.
2018
The Discerning Eye. The Royal Ulster Acadamy of Arts – Northern Ireland.
2017
The National Open Art Exhibition – OXO Tower -The Discerning Eye – London. The London Biennale 2017
2016
The Discerning Eye.
2015
Two Women exhibition – Isso Gallery – Kyoto – Japan. 2015 The Museum of Art Chianciano International Biennale Tuscany – Italy.
2014
Isso Gallery – Kyoto – Japan.
2013
The International London Art Biennale.
2011
EWACC – International Group Exhibition – London.
2010
EWACC – International Group Exhibition – London.
2009
Anthony Gormley – One & Other Project – Trafalgar Square – London.
2004
Sculpture in Paradise – Chichester Cathedral.
2001
The Visual Haiku – Art House Foundation – Peterborough.
Scarborough Museums and Galleries a National Park Partnership.
2000
The Chichester Open – National Open Exhibition – The Discerning Eye – London.
Hung, Drawn & Quartered – The Phoenix Gallery – Brighton.
1998
Tracks Three – Amsterdam.
Residencies
2022
@Aldeburgh Beach – Art House
2011
To Call the Wind to Strike a Butterfly – Worthing Museum & Art Gallery
2000
Plantation – seven artists selected and commissioned by Red
Earth and the National Trust UK at Standen – East Grinstead – Sussex
1999
Garlic & Sapphires in the Mud – A National Trust Project
1998
Tracks Three – eight women artists – Amsterdam
Solo Exhibitions
2022
Untitled – The Victoria Institute – Petworth
The Lookout – Aldeburgh.
2021
Transience – The Victoria Institute – Petworth
2018
Responses & Reflections – Horsham Museum & Art Gallery
2009
To Call The Wind to Strike a Butterfly – Worthing Museum & Art Gallery
Untitled – Christopher Gull Gallery – Brighton.
Awards
2022
3D Winner – Association of Sussex Artists
2020
Highly Commended 3D – Association of Sussex Artists 2020
2019
Highly Commended Painting – Association of Sussex Artists
2015
Leonardo Award for Painting – 3rd place – Tuscany, Italy
2013
International Award for Painting – 2nd place – London Biennale
2001
Christopher Gull Award – Winner of The Brighton Art Fair by Public Vote
Commissions
2022
Double portrait of two brothers.
2021
Portrait of a War Veteran to celebrate his !00 years.
2018
Double portrait of two brothers.
2007
Series of paintings for a private residence.
2006
Series of paintings/drawings/prints for a private residence.
2005
Series of works for a Spanish Villa.
2004
Series of works for a corporate organisation.
2003
Paintings for a private residence.
2002
Paintings for a private residence.
2001
Paintings for a private residence.
Group Exhibitions
2024
Winterset – Thirteen Women Artists.
Contemporary Art Sullington Co-Curator /Artist – Fourteen Artists.
The Association of Sussex Artists.
2023
Winterset – Thirteen Women Artists.
The Association of Sussex Artists.
Contemporary Art Sullington – Co-Curator/Artist.
A Collaboration 2023 – Three Woman Show.
Take Two – Sussex.
2022
Residency/Internship @Aldeburgh Beach Art House.
The Association of Sussex Artists.
Objects`/Places/Spaces – Oxmarket Contemporary
2021
Untitled @ The Victoria Institute – Arundel
The Association of Sussex Artists.
London International Art Biennale
2020
The Discerning Eye – Mall Galleries – London.
‘Transience’ – The Victoria Institute – Arundel – West Sussex.
2019
A Collaboration – Three women show – Skyway Gallery – Shoreham.
The Association of Sussex Artists.
The Ruth Borchard Portrait – London
Sussex Art Fair
Open Studio
Artistic Licence – Wilson Studio – Chichester.
2018
The Discerning Eye – Mall Galleries – London.
The Association of Sussex Artists.
Royal Ulster Acadamy of Arts – Northern Ireland.
Open Studio.
Responses & Reflections – A Retrospective – Horsham Museum and Art Gallery.
2017
The National Open – OXO Tower Gallery – London.
The Discerning Eye – Mall Galleries – London.
Group exhibition – Oxmarket – Chichester.
Association of Sussex Artists
London Biennale – Chelsea – London.
Open Studio
2016
Association of Sussex Artists – Horsham.
The Discerning Eye – Mall Galleries – London.
Gallery Artist – Gaglardi Gallery – Chelsea – London.
Open Studio.
2015
Two Women exhibition – Isso Gallery – Kyoto – Japan.
Museum of Art Chianciano – International Biennale – Tuscany – Italy.
2014
Isso Gallery – Kyoto – Japan
2013
Two person exhibition – Narenj Gallery – London.
International London Art Biennale.
2012
Gallery Artist – Art & Escape Gallery – London.
2011
To Call the Wind to Strike a Butterfly – Worthing Museum & Art Gallery.
Gallery Artist – Art & Escape Gallery – London
EWACC – International Group Exhibition – London.
2010
Gallery Artist , Art & Escape Gallery – London
EWACC – International Group Exhibition. London.
2009
Gallery Artist – Art & Escape Gallery – London.
Anthony Gormley – One & Other Project – Trafalgar Square – London.
EWACC – Lennox Gallery – London.
Steyning Arts – Horsham Museum.
2008
Artist/Curator – Community Arts Project – Wiston House.
2007
The Moncrieff Bray Gallery.
Malaga, Spain.
2006
Gallery Artist – The Oberon Gallery, Bucks.
2005
UntitledSolo Exhibition – Christopher Gull Gallery – Brighton.
2004
The Brighton Art Fair – Open Exhibition – Winner of the Christopher Gull prize by public vote.
Sculpture in Paradise – Chichester Cathedral.
2003
Public/Private – The Place – Letchworth – Hertfordshire.
Gallery artist – Saddlers Row Gallery – Petworth – West Sussex.
2002
Gallery artist – Saddlers Row Gallery – Petworth – West Sussex.
Group Show – The Place – Letchworth – Hertfordshire.
2001
The Visual Haiku – Art House Foundation, Peterborough.
One Year On – The Place – Letchworth – Hertfordshire.
The National Park Partnership – Scarborough Museums and Galleries.
2000
Plantation – The National Trust UK & Red Earth – Standen – West Sussex
The Chichester Open.
The Discerning Eye. London.
Hung, Drawn & Quartered – Drawing Exhibition at The Phoenix Gallery – Brighton.
1999
Magazijne – @ Crossfire Perific Arts – Amsterdam.
Garlic and Sapphires in The Mud’- Osterley – site-specific installation for The National Trust.
One Year On – Knebworth – Hertfordshire.
1998
Tracks Three – Amsterdam.
Degree Show – University of Hertfordshire.
1997
Intersection – Four Women Artists – John Jones Gallery.
Education
1993 – 1998
Fine Arts Degree – BA (Hons) University of Hertfordshire
1991 – 1993
Foundation Certificate Course – St Albans School of Art and Design – Hertfordshire