Wilhelmina Barns-Graham

Explore the colourful world of Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, one of Britain’s most significant 20th century artists, within the pages of this extraordinary monograph – the first to chart the full length of her incredible career.

One of the most innovative British artists of the 20th century, Wilhelmina Barns-Graham communicated her physical, emotional and spiritual responses to the world around her through her work. This was particularly true of her deep connection with the landscapes of Cornwall, Scotland and continental Europe. She carved out a vibrant style of abstract painting known for its energetic rhythms and bold colour.

Featuring over 170 paintings, drawings, prints and archive materials, and contributions from experts on her life and practice, this publication traces Barns-Graham’s development from her student days at the Edinburgh College of Art and early years in St Ives, where she found her place in a lively community of painters and sculptors, through to her later years working between Cornwall and Scotland, concluding with a focus on her singular Scorpio series, created in her final two decades.

Katy Norris is Senior Curator at Tate St Ives, and a researcher and writer. She formerly held the position of Curator at Pallant House Gallery where she devised the critically acclaimed exhibitions Sickert in Dieppe and Christopher Wood: Sophisticated Primitive. She is a leading scholar on Walter Sickert and sits on the steering committee for the forthcoming catalogue raisonné on Christopher Wood. She has worked as editor and advisor for the Modern Women Artists book series published by Eiderdown Books and has contributed her research to the British Art Network’s Women Artists Subgroup.

Featuring additional contributions by Rebecca Birrell, Elena Crippa, Claire Nadal, Rachel Smith, and Alice Strang.