As a practicing artist I have exhibited my work in the UK and internationally, with solo shows in London and Seoul, South Korea. My work explores experiences of womenhood through painting, drawing and printmaking. My fascination and commitment to painting is explored through a range of motifs and material methodologies. A commitment to experimentation – which encapsulates surprises, failures and successes within the studio is an essential component for the development of my continued practice. This deep commitment to the studio, exploration and the nurturing of artistic skill informs my activities as an educator.
Highlighting and celebrating female physicality and movement, initially inspired by my engagement with long-distance running, is a recurring theme within my practice. Rooted in my research into the representation of women throughout western art history, my work readdresses the positioning of women by depicting them as physically strong, active and powerful within bright, largescale, energetic paintings. The works aim to explore the complexities of high intensity sport and depict both how this looks and feels. The paintings are often largescale and physically demanding to convey a physicality and muscle which is at the core of my practice, felt through
the flow of the body and gesture. In September 2025, I am excited to begin a part-time practice based PhD where I will utilise my sustained painting and running practices to investigate and challenge the representation of women in sport and wider society.
Alongside this on-going project, a broader exploration of womenhood is teased out through a range of personal motifs: a reflection in a train window, the act of getting dressed, the experience of viewing art in a museum or the act of painting itself. Within these works I am considering the act of looking, being observed and how women perform in daily life. Throughout my practice, animating the female body with energy, strength and physicality is a persistent aim.
I studied at Goldsmiths College (BA Fine Art, 2016) and the Slade School of Fine Art (MFA Painting, 2023) where I was the recipient of the Almacantar Studio Prize and the Terence Cuneo Memorial Trust prize. Most recently I have completed a PG Certificate in Learning and Teaching in HE at Manchester Metropolitan University. I am a Fellow of Advance HE and have over eight years experience working in education, beginning in 2016 as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Manchester Metropolitan University and more recently as a Lecturer in Fine Art. I love teaching – it is an intrinsic element of my working life and artistic practice; building productive relationships to support learners with their own artistic endeavours is exciting and deeply rewarding and these dialogues in turn fuel and inspire my own practice. I am especially passionate about inclusivity within education and supporting students with a range of needs and experiences to develop their artistic voices and skills. Over the years I have developed a strong pedagogical practice rooted in active learning strategies to inspire, encourage and empower learners to nurture and grow their creativity.
Website: www.lydiamerrett.com
Instagram: @lydiamerrettpainting
