Elizabeth Bessant
London
Using a range of media, I create vibrant, textured images. Collage, paint, giclee, lacquer, crystals and gold leaf make for art that is pleasurable to view but contains a strong social message.
My creative journey as a designer and print maker began in 1979 when I achieved my dream of going to art school. Although it was a happy time I also found myself in a constant battle against the established ideas of art in the early 1980s and pressures to explore gritty subjects that were fashionable at the time.
The beauty of the world, of formal gardens, country houses and furnishings, patterns and flowers and most importantly the subtlety of colour were what called to me. When I discovered silkscreen printing that achieved pure clean colours I knew this was my medium. In 1982 I was vindicated when my silkscreen print "The Morning Room, Tredegar House" was accepted and hung in the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition. Having developed a very successful style, my prints sold worldwide and were continually accepted for the Royal Academy.
In the early 1990's, with a young son it was time to make a change and I turned to my second love: textiles, sewing and design. My early designs were heavily influenced by my roots as an artist: each garment involved crinkling, texturing, dyeing and heat treating fabrics along with appliqué and beadwork. My new career was launched in a Chelsea boutique where I sold my outfits to celebrity and society clients before setting up my own Elizabeth Bessant Couture salon in Knightsbridge.
COVID 19 brought my couture business to a halt overnight. But this presented a long-wanted opportunity to return to print making. I used lockdown to explore themes that touch on everyday lives. Linking back to an idealised 1950s, I explored attitudes to women, sexuality and domestic abuse. The resulting large prints, embellished with a variety of media including crystals, lacquer, gold and silver leaf are colourful, textural and vibrant with a strong message.
Elizabeth Bessant CV
Further Education
Post Graduate Diploma – Fine Art Printmaking, Wimbledon School of Art, 1982-1984
BA (honours) Degree – Graphic Design specialising in printmaking, Newport College of Art 1979 - 1982
Achievements
Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts 2018
Listed in Who’s Who in International Art, 1987
Royal Academy of Arts Exhibitor
UK Wedding Awards – shortlisted 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019
Couture Shows
"A Couture Story", Zefi, London SW3 one women show 2013
"Dressing for the Season", KCWC at The Hurlingham Club, London 2016 one woman show
The National Wedding Show, Olympia 2011-2018 (twice yearly)
Exhibitions
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 1982, 1983, 1985
Royal West of England Academy 1982, 1983
Printmakers Society, Mall Galleries 1983
The Art Centre, Chepstow 1984 one woman show
Station Art Galleries, Chepstow, 1984 one women show
Regatta Gallery, Richmond, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987
Old Bell Galleries, Chepstow one women show 1985
New York Art Expo 1987, 1988, 1989
California Art Expo 1987, 1988, 1989
Tradition and Innovation, Rank Xerox and Yorkshire Contemporary Art 1986
Municipal Gallery and Museum, Newport South Wales 1982
NEC Birmingham 1988
Atlantis Paper Awards Exhibition, London 1984 (won best print in show)
Tredegar House, Newport 1982
Regatta Gallery, Esher 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987
Employment History
Artist /printmaker – 1984 to date
I specialised in silkscreen printmaking in the 1980s experimenting with the process and pushing the medium to its limits with finer printing meshes, transparent inks and new ways to register the printed layers achieving the finest hand drawn detail and watercolour-like overlays achieved at that time. This resulted in the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition accepting silkscreen as a fine art medium when they accepted and hung my prints. My latest work still involves print and layering using collage, paint and wash to achieve an image that is translated into a Giclee print that I embellish with mixed media achieving the fine detail and perfection that has always run through my artwork.
www.elizabethbessantartist.co.uk
Elizabeth Bessant Couture, London – Couture Designer Sole Trader 1996 to date
I have over 25 years experience of running a fashion company with all the challenges of designing, manufacturing, training employees and the day to day running of the business. I have always been hands on, constantly updating my knowledge, talking with industry experts, visiting galleries, museums and expos. I work with stylists and image consultants, photographers and artists. I regularly exhibit in group and one woman shows in this country and the USA. www.elizabethbessant.co.uk
Regatta Publishing, Richmond – Fine Art Printmaker 1984 –1996
My contract with Regatta Fine Art Print publishers was to produce fine art silkscreen prints of my images in limited editions for sale worldwide to galleries, stores art consultants, interior designers and overseas publishers. New editions were launched twice a year at the NEC, Birmingham and sold by their network of galleries and representatives.
HMP Prescoed Camp, Newport – Art Teaching 1982 -1983
Working in the prison service I have experience of successfully motivating students who had become disengaged with learning and their ability. Communication and empathy are my strengths; I also have a lot of patience for any student who needs extra encouragement. I have an ability to inspire young people and direct them towards their strengths.
The Art Centre, Chepstow – Gallery Assistant 1975-1983
Working in the art materials department giving advice, making sales, ordering stock and advising on picture framing. Helped with picture restoration and framing in the onsite workshop. involved with the curating, hanging and selling of artworks and sculpture in the gallery spaces.
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