Bev Broadhead

Bev Broadhead is a visual artist and an active member of her community. Living in a rural, coastal town, much of Bev’s work is influenced by psychogeography and situationist theory. ‘The faster we walk, the more ground we lose.’(Iain Sinclair). 

Bev’s art practice presents a visual language that swerves between abstraction and representation. Forms are often semi-recognisable, grounded in imagined realities, with a nod to medieval wall painting, rough patterns, illustration, and accidental mark making. 

Recent work focuses primarily on grids and repeating patterns that go astray, both in paint and stitch. 

Bev is curious to show environmental relationships, be they physical, psychological, or political. She tends to highlight interdependence, frailties, and imperfections as an antidote to success driven endeavour. 

Bev has a first class honours BA in painting, and an MA in Fine Art. An advanced certificate in teaching art in the primary classroom.  She was a founder member of Paint Club East, and on the steering committee of Norwich Outpost artist led gallery space. 

Bev was instrumental in establishing a local organisation, Cromer ArtSpace. She curated Chalk*Clay*Sand*Salt - an ambitious exhibition of over 30 works in Cromer Community Centre as part of the first local art festival in 2021. 

Bev is involved in a Campaign for Mental Health Services in North Norfolk.

She plays a part in regional organising with the Norfolk and Suffolk branch of Artists’ Union England (AUE) and is a delegate for North Norfolk Trade Union Council. An ongoing concern is the precarious nature of artists as workers, and how to overcome this. Bev is a delegate on the London, East, and South East Cultural and Leisure Industries Committee.

Through involvement in the local foodbank, Bev brought together a small group of crafters to form Darn It! – meeting weekly, it aims to share waste preventing ideas, up-cycling, and mental well-being through creative activity. 
Bev has experience in education - a T.E.F.L teacher in Spain, a Primary school teacher, a Family Learning tutor, and facilitating workshops. 

Bev is a 'declarer' with Culture Declares Emergency eastern hub.

Bev is on Instagram as @bev.broadhead.1 

Living with psoriatic arthritis from my late teens has been physically and mentally challenging at times. Adapting to medication, operations, and physical discomfort is distracting, but at the same time has contributed to useful resilience, and imaginative, problem solving skills.