Biography
Claire Sparkes is a contemporary artist, living and working on the South East coast of England. She grew up in Deal, a seaside town in Kent where early on she realised a passion to study art.
After completing a Foundation Course at Maidstone College of Art in 1989, Claire studied a degree in Fine Art Painting at the Sir John Moores University in Liverpool 1989 – 1992.
Later in 2009, Claire achieved an MA in Fine Art at the University for the Creative Arts at Canterbury.
Over the years, Claire has exhibited in London, other UK cities and abroad in both group and solo exhibitions. Her work is held in public and private collections across the UK, and has been used for illustration. In 2019 Claire was elected a member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, and has been a member of the Society of Graphic Fine Art since 2013. Since 1995, Claire has also taught a variety of successful drawing and painting courses.
Claire Sparkes is a figurative painter whose range of subjects primarily focuses upon people, whilst also encompassing still life, interiors and landscapes. At times, her work crosses these boundaries interrelating elements from each of these categories. Both drawing & painting are fundamental to her practice.
Education
2007-9 MA in Fine Art, University for the Creative Arts, Canterbury.
1989-92 BA Hons. Degree in Fine Art, John Moores University, Liverpool.
1988-89 Foundation in Art, Maidstone
Awards
2022 Bath Society of Artists Runner-Up Prize
2020 The Anthony J Lester Art Critic Award, Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours
2018 ‘The President’s Choice Award’, Draw 18, Menier Gallery, London
2017, ‘The Debra Manifold Memorial Award’ presented by the Linda Blackstone Gallery for the most innovative painting at the 2017 Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour annual exhibition
2016, ‘Best Work in Colour’ sponsored by Winsor & Newton, at Draw 16, the Menier Gallery, London
2015 Associates’ Award sponsored by Arboreta Papers
2014 The Cult Pens Award for a Highly Commended Drawing
2014 The SGFA Associates Award sponsored by Jacksons Art
2013 Daler Rowney Award for Best work in the Exhibition
1996 Liquitex prize for Painting
1995 Daler Rowney prize for Modern Art
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2018 ‘Moments, Messages & Connections’, Grierson Gallery, Sevenoaks
2010 ‘Transitions’, The Cube, Folkestone
2000 ‘Tattoos & I Love You’s’, Chromos, Canterbury
1995 Sassoon Gallery, Folkestone
1995 Library Gallery, Margate
1994 Hanover Galleries, Liverpool
1990-95 The Music House, Liverpool
Group Exhibitions
2019/20 – present Royal West of England Academy Annual Open, Bristol
2017 – present Annual Exhibition Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, Mall Galleries, London
2013 – present, Annual Exhibition Society Graphic Fine Art, London
2022 International Watercolour Masters, Lilleshal Hall, Shropshire
2022 Royal Society of Marine Artists, Mall Galleries, London
2022 Collaborations, Linden Hall Studio at Goodnestone Park, Kent
2022 RI Summer Show, Linden Hall Studio Gallery
2022 SGFA @ Watts Gallery, Surrey
2022, 2021 Bath Society of Artists Annual Exhibition
2021/22 Winter Group Show, Linden Hall Studio Gallery
2021/22 Autumn/Winter Show, Adam’s Gallery, Surrey
2021, 2020 The Gallery, Holt, Norfolk
2019, 2017 Sunday Times Watercolour, UK touring Exhibition
2019, 2017, 2015 Portrait Prize, Royal Birmingham Society of Artists
2019 100 Years, SGFA Centenary Touring Exhibition
2019 Prints Only, The Horsebridge Arts Centre, Whitstable
2018 Columbia Threadneedle Prize, Mall Galleries, London
2018 Summer Show, La Galleria Pall Mall, London
2018 West Acre Theatre, Norfolk
2018 SGFA Hull University
2018 Taith Contemporary, Peartree Barn, Suffolk
2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 New English Art Club, Mall Galleries
2017, 2015 ‘Drawn Together’, Bankside Gallery, London
2017 ING Discerning Eye Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London
2017 SGFA @ Grierson Galleries, Sevenaoks, Kent
2017 ‘Drawing the Line’, The Street, UCLH, London
2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 ‘Paper Works’, RK Burt Gallery, London
2014 Royal Society of British Artists, Mall Galleries, London
2013 Sussex Artists’ Award, Pallant House Gallery, Chichester
2013 Ruth Borchard – Self Portrait, King’s Place Gallery, London
2011 ‘Other Spaces’, The Horsebridge Arts Centre, Whitstable
2009 The Ignition Gallery, The Historic Dockyard Chatham
2008 ‘A Mile of String’, Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta, Malta
2008 ‘Signifiers’, Georges House Gallery, Folkestone, Kent
2006 Sassoon Gallery, Folkestone, Kent
2002 ‘Watch This Space’, The Metropole Arts Centre, Folkestone
