"Wake Up is one of a series of print and acrylic on unstretched canvas. In this piece I was thinking about places of safety: the home, the painting studio, tucked up in bed asleep. These places become dangerous if I don't stay awake and alert. I have nightmares. As an artist, I have to wake up. The safe place for me has always been when I make paintings, prints and sculptures. As a child, I would find somewhere to draw, and the chaos surrounding me faded into the background. I would draw my fears, and they would lessen. In this way, I think of art as sheltering me."

Part of the British Art Fair collection, Outside In's 20th anniversary showcase at the Saatchi Gallery, 24–27 September 2026.

Outside In collaborates with galleries and creative organisations to provide underrepresented artists with exhibition spaces and professional development opportunities. This selection of works highlights artists from our seventh National Open exhibition, Shelter 2025, which toured to The New Art Gallery, Walsall and Christie’s, London.