Terri Broughton – solo exhibition – 7th – 13th December 2021
Terri Broughton
7th – 13th December 2021
Private View 8th December. 18:00-20:30
Banned artist launches solo exhibition at London’s Brick Lane Gallery
Terri Broughton, a Norfolk painter, whose work was banned for being too hard hitting just 18 months ago, has a solo exhibition in London’s Brick Lane Gallery from 7-13 December.
Broughton had an inauspicious start in life following the death of both of her parents, but she went on to become the Head of a secondary School at an academy in Norfolk, a highly qualified life coach, a successful educational consultant, and now a highly sought-after artist.
She was awarded a Tate Modern prize for her Masters Degree ‘The Identity Project ‘, in which she pioneered the questioning and challenging of first year A Level Art students in Britain about their limiting self-beliefs and values which were inhibiting their creative potential. It was a project that turned art education on its head and has since been incorporated into the National Curriculum for all year groups.
During the 18 months that we have all been locked down, Broughton has been working tirelessly in the creation of an extensive body of work which, while often narrative, explores the psychological behaviours of people.
Broughton has been in much demand. She exhibited in Japan; her paintings ‘Three Little Birds’ and ‘Resonance’ were chosen for manufacture on Covid face masks for the Oriental market. The prestigious Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, London sold her painting prior to the opening of the Summer Show. Her work has been presented at the international UNESCO & Meadows exhibition, as well as being selected to exhibit at the Florence and Bangladesh Biennales. Broughton was invited to give a presentation of her work to staff at Tate Modern, London. Her reputation is rapidly spreading beyond these shores as demonstrated by her most recent invitation to participate in a show in Anchorage, Alaska next year.
Recently, Broughton has been selected for the renowned Salon d’Automne on the Champs Elysèes in Paris. Her work will be exhibited in this exclusive and illustrious show in October of this year and is indicative of her growing talent. She is in great company. Famous artists such as Gauguin, Renoir, Picasso, Modigliani, Braque and Chagall have all exhibited there before her.
Broughton’s paintings are deeply personal, reflecting a traumatic childhood following the death of both parents when she was just seven years old. Terri and her sisters were separated, placed with a succession of foster families, some with wholly unkind treatments, and were only reunited together again in adulthood.
Terri has a fascination for the human condition and experience, and particularly for the way in which the stories we all tell ourselves give shape to our lives. She is intrigued by the way in which these internal narratives can often inhibit our true potential.
Her series of paintings of children wearing gas masks, painted prior to any notion of a Pandemic, are a case in point. The masks are both protection from the toxic outside world and could also be perceived as an isolation unit, preventing the children from truly engaging in the real world. She leaves it to the viewer to decide.
Broughton’s up and coming exhibition, entitled ‘INSIDE OUT’, is a response to her own history. Since her first solo exhibition in Norfolk was banned for being too psychologically harrowing for sensitive viewers, her paintings have become sought after for their content. Indeed, it is precisely the challenge of her paintings that is attracting the attention of collectors who see the investment potential of this rising contemporary artist.
Her December exhibition is the living embodiment of her tortuous route to becoming a painter. Having always been told that she was not a painter and that it was her father who was the painter (a message that she internalised for more than 50 years) Broughton is breaking the stranglehold of that childhood mantra.
For the first time, the spotlight is focussing on Broughton’s oil paintings, which pose deep psychological questions about memory which confront peoples’ self-perceptions.
Broughton said: “My paintings are large, figurative and have been called psychologically challenging. They invite the viewer to engage and explore the stories we all tell ourselves to make sense of our own lives.
“I will have been painting for three years in November and I have loved every second – even the times when I have been well out of my comfort zone. There have been ups and downs, tears and laughter but it has all been worth it.”
“I am so thankful to my friends and family for their unstinting encouragement, enthusiasm, and support. I realise that the only thing that will ever prevent you from achieving your dreams is the way you think about the things you want to achieve.”
Terri Broughton’s work can be viewed online at terribroughtonartist.com or in person at the Brick Lane exhibition in December.
For exhibition and sales enquiries please contact
Instagram: @terribroughtonartist
Facebook: Terri Broughton Artist
Gallery Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am–6pm, Sunday 12pm-6pm
Admission Free, Tel: +44 (0)207 729 9721