Lauren Willington, a talented artist based in Winchester, is set to unveil her latest exhibition at a gallery in Salisbury’s Fisherton Street, where she will be sharing her thought-provoking perspective on how trauma can alter our perception of landscapes and safe spaces. The exhibition, which will run from Friday, July 18, to Saturday, August 2, will feature a collection of paintings that blend vibrant colors and personal storytelling to convey the emotional impact of intimate partner violence on our relationship with the natural world. Through her artwork, Willington aims to evoke a sense of overwhelming sadness and loss, while also highlighting the resilience and strength of those who have been impacted by trauma. The exhibition will serve as a powerful reminder of the lasting effects of trauma on our perception of everyday landscapes and spaces. The artist’s approach to this subject matter is deeply personal, drawing from her own experiences and those of the women she has interviewed for the project. Willington has stated that she wants to illustrate the lasting damage that trauma can cause, and the importance of challenging patriarchal systems. The exhibition will feature a range of paintings, including scenes of lush countryside vistas and natural landscapes, as well as more intimate and personal works that explore the complexities of trauma and its impact on our relationships with the world around us. Willington’s artistic journey began at the age of 15, when she started taking on commission-based portrait work through word of mouth. She went on to complete a BA in Fine Arts with the Winchester School of Art in 2018, where she developed her skills in textiles and fine art. In recent years, Willington has established herself as a prominent artist in the local community, exhibiting her work at regional galleries such as the Tate Modern during the biennial exhibition We Built a Boat in 2018. She has also participated in collaborative installations, such as the one she worked on with fellow artists and visitors at the Tate Modern. Willington’s work has been featured in various local galleries, including Forest & Cove in Romsey and her own Etsy store, Kindesignprints. Her designs have also been selected for official Christmas cards, such as the Friends of Winchester Cathedral Christmas cards in 2024. As a professional picture framer, Willington also offers creative exchange and collaboration with fellow artists in the area, further highlighting her commitment to the local art community. The exhibition at the Fisherton Street gallery will be a unique opportunity for the public to experience Willington’s powerful and thought-provoking artwork, and to explore the emotional, creative, and healing process that her paintings capture.
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Key Highlights of the Exhibition
- Private viewing on Thursday, July 17
- Public viewing from Friday, July 18, to Saturday, August 2 (10am until 5pm)
- Exhibition features a collection of paintings that blend vibrant colors and personal storytelling
- Willington’s artwork explores the emotional impact of intimate partner violence on our relationship with the natural world
- Exhibition serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting effects of trauma on our perception of everyday landscapes and spaces
Artist’s Statement
“As a trigger warning, none of the paintings display graphic or shocking imagery, but do discuss themes of assault, personal to the women interviewed. I wanted to be able to illustrate the lasting damage of how a trauma can alter perceptions of everyday landscapes to those impacted. There are social commentaries linked to unequal power dynamics and how, through my own personal experience, I have begun to rebuild and challenge patriarchal systems.”
Artist’s Background
- Completed a BA in Fine Arts with the Winchester School of Art in 2018
- Originally trained in Textiles and Fine Art
- Began her artistic career at the age of 15, taking on commission-based portrait work through word of mouth
- Established herself as a prominent artist in the local community, exhibiting her work at regional galleries such as the Tate Modern
- Works as a professional picture framer, offering creative exchange and collaboration with fellow artists in the area
| Exhibition Details | Private viewing: Thursday, July 17 | Public viewing: Friday, July 18, to Saturday, August 2 (10am until 5pm) |
| Location | Fisherton Street Gallery, Salisbury |
Why You Should Attend
The exhibition at the Fisherton Street gallery is a unique opportunity to experience Willington’s powerful and thought-provoking artwork, and to explore the emotional, creative, and healing process that her paintings capture. By attending the exhibition, you will have the chance to:
- Witness the emotional impact of intimate partner violence on our relationship with the natural world
- Explore the complexities of trauma and its impact on our relationships with the world around us
- Experience the resilience and strength of those who have been impacted by trauma
- Meet the artist and learn more about her work and inspiration
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with Willington’s artwork and to explore the emotional, creative, and healing process that her paintings capture.