Elizabeth Porter

Elizabeth Porter was born near Cambridge and grew up in the deep countryside of Oxfordshire. She is a British artist who first visited Sri Lanka over 20 years ago and has been returning to the island ever since for inspiration. It is here, in Sri Lanka, that her ideas for paintings are first conceived, while they come into being in the studio. Elizabeth holds the degrees Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Ruskin School of Art, University of Oxford (2009), and Master of Arts from the Royal College of Art, London (2012).

Elizabeth’s work reflects her interest in how in the middle of the city nature; particularly birds, animals and insects, still finds a place as we see in the paintings for Tonight No Poetry Will Serve. As is customary to her practice, here too she is presenting paintings on wood panels with gold leaf that call images of religious icons to mind. Her work creates an intimacy towards the creatures she paints, asking us to reevaluate the things we consider insignificant. In Europe she is known for working on large scale collaborations with designers, architects and entrepreneurs such as Nicky Haslam, Robin Birley, Rifat Ozbek & Vivien Greenock, Bruce Cavell. But when she can, she finds the time to paint on a smaller scale. This is where she can explore what is important, where her heart is open and finds its home. Her important solo and group exhibitions are Cusp, Barefoot Gallery, Colombo (2020), If one thing matters, The Ice House, London (2018), Doremefaso residency and group show, Florence Mine Arts, Cumbria (2016), Puca McGuffin with Alex Stewart, Artisan Gallery, London (2015), He seems to me a fire burning, St Mary Aldermary, Watling Street, London (2014), Like a Monkey Puzzle Tree, Copepark Gallery, London (2013), Undercurrent, The Crypt Gallery, London (2013), Unhurried Groundswell, Barefoot Gallery, Colombo (2013), Rusty Pipe, Painted Brick, Shoreditch Town Hall, London (2013), Heart of Darkness, Villa Arson, Nice (2012), Into the Maelstrom, The Crescent Gallery Ramsgate (2011), and Red Mansion Prize, A Foundation, Rochelle School, London (2010). In 2009 Elizabeth won the Red Mansion Prize and Stuart Morgan Prize University of Oxford. She was shortlisted for the Pirye Prize and the Slingsby Prize (2008).

Elizabeth Porter is an itinerant decorative artist working in the UK, Europe and Sri Lanka. She lives in London, UK.

I have so much love and respect for Mariah - her passion, her intelligence, her integrity & her loyalty. When she told me about her ideas for this project last year I wanted to be involved in a heartbeat. I consider it an honour to be a part of this.