FBA editions Fundraiser - Artists profiles

'This year, I was honoured to receive the Hesketh Hubbard Bursary at the Mall Galleries, where I attended weekly life drawing sessions and became part of the society for a year. Safire and Scallywag is a monotype developed from one of these sessions; I painted the plate over two hours before printing it onto Hahnemühle paper in my studio. 

My practice explores identity and the experience of women, translating emotion and connection through intuitive, painterly mark-making. My time with the Hesketh Hubbard Society made working with sitters integral to my process, while the Federation of British Artists has been a source of inspiration where tradition and innovation thrive — helping me prepare for my participation in Sky Portrait Artist of the Year 2025.'

Florence’s work focuses on portraiture and figurative paintings. She explores the beauty of the flesh and the emotional and delicate nature of human beings. Florence’s work is committed to capturing the atmosphere of the subject matter in the painting and the emotion and expression of the character, often presented in a peaceful tone. In the past few years, Florence has been creating imaginary characters to paint from, which has given her portraits an otherworldly quality.

Florence Yuqing is a member of the RI.

'I really enjoy the whole process of creating a painting, from the early brainstorming of ideas, through the selection of objects to photograph and to finally putting the entire thing together with pastels at my easel.

When choosing an object, I usually look for something with a hint of nostalgia & its own individual character, with plenty of interesting detail to explore, such as an old toy car that has been lovingly played with and now with paint peeling and a bit lost in shape. For a similar reason, I love to paint vintage enamel pots, which often retain their colour and shine but have the surface broken up by rust spots, burn marks and dents.

Although I aim for realism in my paintings, I like to encourage the viewer to take a closer look at how the painting is put together through the different marks, smudges and scratches I use. Pastels and pastel pencils are great for helping me achieve the results I strive for as they are so versatile, allowing me to use subtle blending, strong highlights, infinite textures and both sharp & blurred edges in the paintings.

The FBA will always be very special to me, as it was when I first exhibited at the Pastel Society Exhibition in 2018 at the Mall Galleries that I first realised my paintings were going in the direction I’d always hoped for. I look forward every year to exhibiting with the  wonderful Pastel Society as well as making frequent visits to the Mall Galleries for the many other incredible exhibitions they put on.'

Ian Rawling is a member of the PS.

Tanya Avchinnikova is an award-winning soft pastel artist based in the UK, a Member of The Pastel Society.

Tactile sensation, direct communication with pure pigment, freedom of applying it on the surface straight away, that’s what I love about pastel. There’s something very intimate about it, very personal. No mediums in between, just you and pastels.
 

A graduate of the Belarusian State Academy of Music, I have always had a craving for art. I paint seascapes and landscapes, focusing on closeups. I think it’s a reflection of my personal wish to be at those beautiful places, and with every mark I make, I can experience the feeling of being there again and again. Maybe that’s the reason why I do series. In my works, I try to create the illusion of presence and deep unity with nature.

Everything exists because of the vibrations of the earth and water. Water and grass are the best objects for me to visualise vibrations and movement. I like to watch how the light travels on water, from wave to wave, how wind creates glare on the grass in a sunny day while moving it. I like to see the traces of “invisible” things, catch them and paint them.

Tanya Avchinnikova is a member of the PS.

Martha's work revolves around the idea of the human figure and portrait as a space of expression and exposure. She sees the human body as a fragmented yet multifaceted entity, an outcome of a process of layering. Working mostly on paper, this layering process is usually expressed with the use of a mix of water-based media, where the artworks are driven forward by the medium’s inherent qualities, its fluid and transparent nature. It is a mode of work that embraces accidental bleeds, unfinished or seemingly underdeveloped areas, next to others meticulously developed in detail. This results in a fragile dynamic balance between abstraction and representation, one which seeks to capture the tonal and morphological particularities of a sitter’s skin or facial characteristics, and in essence, their very self; the transient and ambiguous element in the figure depicted, all that is supposed to be masked and hidden in portrait or figure. This epitomises a group of works that conceptually is underpinned by an effort to subtly undermine the glorification of an idealised, polished self, complete and coherent, which is usually evident in traditional portraiture. Rather, Martha is drawn towards the incomplete and incoherent, the fragmentary and the cryptic.

Martha Zmpounou is a member of the RI.

Frances Featherstone is a multi-award-winning artist from England. Guided by an appreciation for storytelling, narratives are at the heart of her work, filling her paintings with ideas and conceptual depth. The painting ‘Day of Rest’ forms part of her series “From the Perspective of the Angels” exploring figures in intimate spaces seen from the heavens. The series delves deeper into several themes, such as uncovering the beauty in the everyday, the desire for solitude and comfort wrapped in vibrant, lush fabrics, and the collapse of the distance between the real world and the world of dreams. The aerial perspective flattens spatial dimensions, allowing the paintings to bring out patterns and shapes that are not apparent from our usual vantage point. 
 

The Federation of British Artists has been invaluable to me in my development as a professional artist; it has given me validity, visibility, friendship and support. It has allowed me to show my paintings at The Royal Institute of Oil Painters' annual exhibition at The Mall Galleries, where they are seen by collectors, art critics, and artists. Winning a Certificate of Commendation for exceptional work last year was the icing on the cake! The support of The Federation is brilliant, especially as one can feel quite isolated as an artist, and I have made many friends through attending the events and exhibitions. Most importantly, I have been introduced and inspired by such amazing contemporary art!

'My paintings are my story woven with imagery and colour. What thrills me is when my work weaves itself into others' biographies. My aim is that each piece develops a visual presence independent of me or my original artistic intentions, so that the viewer can continue the search I have initiated.

Much of my work focuses on the human figure. As I paint, I am constantly searching beyond mere appearance, attempting to connect the vulnerability, fragility, and impermanence of the individual with a sense of common, shared humanity. My work-making process embraces both the familiar and the unexpected, combining observation, memory, and intuition. In the Studio, I feel 'alive' when I paint intuitively - digging deep into hidden and buried memories and feelings. When I am painting, I feel I am excavating those memories and feelings, and in the process, I am excavating paint on the canvas. 

I have been a member of The Royal Society of British Artists for over six years now. Being a member of the RBA and the Federation of British Artists is a wonderful way to connect with a community of dedicated and talented artists, where exchange of ideas and commitment to excellence are shared and encouraged.'

Henry Jabbour is the Vice President of the RBA.

'’Night Still Life’ gave me an opportunity to carry on working once all natural light had faded.

I spent time lighting and setting up the objects, ever conscious that a still life painting begins long before you put paint to canvas. Using a structured composition and a limited palette, I sought to create a sense of harmony and a relationship between seemingly disparate objects.The different overlapping shapes, facets and planes of the various pieces, each one with a singular quality or character of its own, yet still connected, comprise a sort of ‘family’."

'By nature and necessity, artists are usually quite solitary. The FBA provides opportunities for us to meet other artists, Gallerists and the public, providing much-needed stimulation and support.'

Charlotte Sorapure is a member of the NEAC and RP.

'My work draws inspiration from traditional Portuguese azulejos, the glazed tiles that line so many walls and façades of my childhood. Their geometry, repetition, and rhythm shape my approach to composition and design. I’m fascinated by how these historic motifs can coexist with contemporary figurative subjects. Inspired by my passion for fashion photography, I create a dialogue between past and present. I work in watercolour for its vibrancy and fluidity, which allows me to combine precision with spontaneity. Through colour, motifs, and layered washes, I aim to convey presence, energy, and emotion in each figure, celebrating identity and character.
 

The Federation of British Artists has been pivotal in my artistic journey, offering both recognition and a genuine sense of community. Receiving the Cass Art Prize at the 212th Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours Exhibition in 2024 encouraged me to keep exploring colour and expression in new ways. Exhibiting again in 2025 for the 213th RI Exhibition at Mall Galleries and Beyond the Prize has deepened my connection to a supportive and inspiring network of artists. Being selected to represent non-member artists of the RI for the FBA Editions fundraiser feels extremely special, not only does it provide further recognition but also gives me the chance to contribute to the nine art societies that make up the FBA.'

Rachel Lockwood's work is formed by what surrounds her, with an emphasis on the natural world and our relationship with it. Fortunately, Rachel lives in an area that is incredibly diverse, with forests, huge skies, marshland and waterways. People come from far and wide to gaze upon this landscape and it's the memories and feelings of this that we keep within that interests her. This is what Rachel tries to draw out; a condensed image of what she has seen and felt.

Forests, in particular, are becoming increasingly significant to Rachel, as these spaces force us to use our primal senses even more. Rachel recently spent a year painting the changing seasons in a local forest, which allowed her to stop and absorb the movement, sounds and colour within it. One of the things Rachel realised was how the mind fills in the gaps in what we hear and what we think we've seen.

Rachel Lockwood is a member of the SWLA.

Ken Nwadiogbu is a Nigerian-born, London-based multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans painting, sculpture, installation, and video. Originally trained as a civil engineer, he made a bold transition into fine art, first gaining acclaim for his hyperrealistic charcoal portraits before expanding into more conceptual, socially engaged work.

A graduate of the Royal College of Art (MA Painting) and a recipient of the UK’s Global Talent Visa (Exceptional Talent), Nwadiogbu’s work explores complex questions around identity, migration, and visibility. Blending intellectual depth with playful ingenuity, his practice challenges dominant narratives while offering fresh ways of seeing. Each piece becomes a portal into shared human experiences.

He is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including The Future Awards Africa (2019) for his impact on the Nigerian arts community and the Royal Society of British Artists’ Rising Star Award (2025) in recognition of his growing presence in the UK art scene.

His work has been exhibited internationally at institutions such as the Royal Academy of Arts, Saatchi Gallery, Somerset House, Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Art, and Bishop Museum. He has also participated in major art fairs including Art SG, SCOPE Miami Beach, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, and Prizm Art Fair. Alongside this, he has collaborated with global brands including Netflix, Absolut, GANT, and Martell.