ABOUT | v2-rebeccaholton

MY STATEMENT

"I capture people in quiet, every day, very relatable settings such as cafes, street corners or narrow alleyways.

My figures are caught in real time, unaware of the viewer’s gaze, and often they are part-obscured or offset in the composition. Occasionally I may slightly edit reality – elongating a sofa, amending a shadow, or extending the height of a window, gently affecting the painting’s narrative.

I want the viewer to feel as though they know the people I paint - or someone just like them, that they have drunk a cup of coffee in a similar cafe, or simply remember the awkwardness of that stage of life.

I encourage people to relate to and empathise with my figures.

I try to create art that requires a second, third or even fourth viewing. Each time the viewer may spot a new detail - perhaps an unexpected shadow, subtle expression or slightly awkward posture.

Gently inviting my viewer to connect with my art encourages people to reflect on life today - our culture and routines."

BIO

Rebecca Holton is a multi-award-winning British portrait and figurative artist. She has a MA (Hons) degree in Fine Art from the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh College of Art.

Her work has been included in exhibitions by the Royal Academy, The Royal Institute of Oil Painters, The Royal Society of British Artists, The British Art Prize and The London Biennale.

Awards in 2025 include the Bishop & Sewell Award for an Exceptional Painting at Chelsea Art Society, The World Art Dubai Award, at The London Biennale, and The Peter Kelly Commemorative Prize at The Royal Society of British Artists.

Rebecca’s work is in private collections in the UK, Europe, the USA, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Post degree, she worked for 10 years at a senior level in advertising - an industry where, to be effective, you must study and understand people. A skill she still uses in her paintings today.