5 questions we asked our Young Masters 2026 judges.
What first inspired your interest and dedication to the creative arts?
I've always been interested in drawing and painting ever since I was a child and I really seriously dedicated myself to it in my late twenties. Before then, I had always worked in and around the arts.
Could you tell us a little about yourself and your professional journey?
I’m a full-time professional painter based in Brixton, where I’ve been working from my studio for the past 15 years. I primarily paint people I admire and respect - individuals who are doing interesting, creative things in the world - and portraiture has become the central focus of my practice.
I’ve been interested in drawing and painting since childhood, but I dedicated myself seriously to becoming an artist in my late twenties. Before that, I worked in and around the arts in various roles, which gave me a broad appreciation of the creative sector and the communities that sustain it.
Alongside making and exhibiting my own work, I occasionally undertake portrait commissions. I’m fortunate to have had work selected for the National Portrait Gallery’s Portrait Award and my paintings are held in collections including the National Portrait Gallery in London and the National Archives of New Zealand.
I also enjoy curating and organising exhibitions, bringing artists together and creating opportunities for conversations about painting and what it means to sustain a creative practice today. Building artistic communities and supporting other painters has become an important part of my professional life.
What are your thoughts on the latest Young Masters project, and what are you most excited about?
I think the latest Young Masters project, Her Court, is a really exciting and unusual exhibition concept. I’m particularly drawn to its focus on women in sport and on celebrating women who have been at the forefront of change and progress. There are interesting connections between contemporary female athletes and the women who fought for greater rights and visibility in earlier generations, and I think those themes feel especially relevant today.
What excites me most is the diversity of the work that has been selected. The artists involved have approached these ideas from very different perspectives, and I’m looking forward to seeing how those individual interpretations come together in the exhibition. I think it promises to be a rich and thought-provoking show and I’m excited to see the conversations it generates.
Are you looking forward to visiting the beautiful Wimbledon Museum and seeing how the Suffragette colours are elevated through the history and atmosphere of the tennis championship?
Yes, very much. I’m looking forward to visiting the Wimbledon Museum and experiencing the unique atmosphere and history that surrounds the Championships. Wimbledon is such an iconic institution and I’m fascinated by the way heritage, sport and culture intersect there.
I’m especially interested in seeing how the suffragette colours are woven into that setting and how they help illuminate the connections between women’s sport and the wider history of women’s rights and social change. I think placing contemporary artistic responses within a venue so rich in history adds another layer to the exhibition and creates an opportunity for audiences to reflect on both the past and the present.
What is your connection with Young Masters, and how did you first meet the founder, Cynthia Valianti Corbett?
I’ve long been aware of Young Masters and have had the pleasure of exhibiting with the organisation, which gave me the opportunity to experience first-hand its commitment to supporting artists and fostering thoughtful dialogue between contemporary practice and art history.
Through that connection, I came to know Cynthia Corbett, whom I have long regarded as a real force within the art world. I greatly admire her energy, vision and dedication to championing artists and creating ambitious, imaginative projects. Her enthusiasm is infectious and she has built a community that brings together artists, collectors and audiences in meaningful ways.
It’s been a pleasure to be involved with Young Masters and I’m always interested to see the new ideas and collaborations that emerge from Cynthia’s initiatives.