Meet Sarah Francis
the Artist
Sarah Francis is a transdisciplinary artist who works predominantly with paint, sculpture and photography. Francis uses the exhibition space, photographic lens and viewer interaction as key elements that define and frame the artworks physical form while acknowledging its off-stage possibilities and capacity to morph within view.
Francis’ works both conform within and intrude beyond the physical space they occupy, replicating the acts of masking and framing that have characterised her neurodiverse and queer identity, and the energy spent meeting societally perceived norms. Film and photography influence Francis' exploration of these dual identities, and the imperfection and ephemerality of memory, of what’s real or re-collected. Francis art playfully presents multiple (framed & un-framed) realities, offering interpretations that hold darkness and joy.
Her work has been shortlisted for the Saatchi Gallery’s Art of Giving Prize, selected by Richard Billingham for Curator’s Choice Noise Young Talent 2009, and recognised in Aesthetica’s 100 Best Contemporary Artists in Europe. In addition to her work, Sarah Francis is the Founder and Director of Aire Place Studios, Leeds.
Experience
Curator, International Curators Forum & Ort Gallery, Emergence(y) Project. Jan 2022 onwards
Curator, APS Gallery, Championing Unheard Voices, Jan 2016 onwards.
Director & Founder, Aire Place Studios CIC, Studios, & Gallery. Dec 2012 onwards.
Sarah Francis Art, Artist Curator, Sculpture & Photography. 2011 onwards.
Lead Workshop Facilitator, CYP Arts, Visual Art Provisior. Feb 2015 - Jan 2017
Director & Curator , HOARD Studio & gallery, Offering free large studio space, exhibitions & projects for Artists. June 2012 - Sep 2016.
Education
ILM Level 3 Award, Effective Coaching, Leeds Beckett University. 2022 onwards.
Distinction Masters in Fine Art, Leeds University. 2009 - 2011.
1st Class BA(Hons) Photography, De Montfort University. 2004 - 2007.
HND Television and Film Design, Lincoln University. 2002- 2004.
Funding
Arts Council England, Develop Your Creative Practice, , 2002-2023
East Street Arts, Convention House Residency & Seed Funding, Sep- Nov 2022
Awards
Creative Community Organisation of the Year 2022 - UK Enterprise Awards
Lord Lieutenant Acknowledgement, Outstanding Service to the Community, 2020.
Leeds Compassionate City Nomination, Art Project of the Year, 2019. Leeds
Love Arts Award, Excellent Contribution towards Art and Mental Health, 2016. Leeds
100 Best Contemporary Artist, Aesthetica Art Prize, 2013. York
Shortlisted, Saatchi Gallery, Art of Giving, 2010. London
Best in Show, Leicester Open 20 Exhibitions, 2009.
Curators Choice, Selected By Richard Billingham- Noise Young Talent, 2009
Best in Show, Pride In the House, Lauderdale House London, 2008
Artist with Most Promise, Through the Lens, RWA, 2008
Conference/ Talks
Panel Member, Disability, Access and Artist-Led Spaces, East Street Arts/Unlimited, Jan 2020 Panel Member, Love Arts Conversation, Leeds City Museum, Oct 2016
Artist Talk, Transition, Inkwell Arts, Feb 2015
Artist Talk, HOARD, Corn Exchange, Oct 2015
Artist Talk, Toast, Manchester, Nov 2014
Selected Exhibitions - Full CV on request
Leeds Summer show, June 2022 1st-30th, Play House Leeds
Taking Space, October 2022, Coles Gallery, Leeds
Landshapes, Solo Show, May 2022, Bowery, Leeds
Let us eat cake, March 2021, Pineapple Black Art Space
Possible All Along, December 2021, DISrupt, Leeds
Queer Contempory, August 2020, Short Supply, Manchester
Leeds Summer show, July 2020 1st-30th, Leeds
Aesthetica, Art Prize Exhibition, March 2013, York
Reigning Cats & Dogs Exhibition, January - March, 2013 - RWA, Bristol
Matt Roberts Salon Art Prize 2011, 6 - 29th October 2011, London
Bowery Gallery, Exhibition, January 7th - April 8th 2011, Leeds
National Open Art Competition, Exhibition, October 30th – November 2010
Leeds City Art Gallery, 8th Aug-19th Sep 2010, Leeds City Gallery
Lauderdale House, 20 Jul- 2 Aug 2010, Lauderdale House London.
Not Part Of, 16 Jan 2010, Dance House Theatre, Manchester
Noise Creative Fair, 17 - 18 July 2009 Manchester Hall
Open 20 Exhibitions, 15 Nov – 10 Jan 2009, Leicester City Gallery
Nottingham Castle Museum Open, 11 Oct- 30 Nov 2008, Nottingham
Art in Woodstock, 25 Oct – 15 Nov 2008, Oxford.
BBC Noise Virtual Showcase, 26 Sept 2008 Liverpool Biennial, Liverpool
Pride in The House, 5- 7 Aug 2008, Lauderdale House, London.
Through The Lens, June - July, 2008 RWA, Bristol
Leicester City Gallery Open 19, Nov 2007- Jan 2008 Leicester
Professional Appointments
Chair of the Board, Aire Place Studios CIC, 2016 onwards
Memberships
Artist, & the ‘Other’, Collective of Artists working Towards Inclusiveness and Belonging. 2022
DISrupt, Collective of Disabled Artist in Leeds. 2021
Outside In, platform for artists who face significant barriers to the art world due to health, disability, social circumstance or isolation. 2020
Arts and Mind, Member, believe the arts can promote mental wellbeing, 2015