Artist’s biography
Sally Adkins (b. 1972) is a British artist and multidisciplinary printmaker. Her practice explores the within and beyond in landscape: she investigates the emotional and spiritual response to being immersed in nature, expressing its depths and heights, with particular attention to the dialogue between water and landscape.
Adkins works predominantly within the heritage of acid-based etching, harnessing traditional techniques to develop finely etched, deeply atmospheric metal plates, inked and printed on a traditional intaglio press. She also specialises in monotypes and contemporary interventions in print. Her work is always underpinned by literature, especially poetry, relating to place.
Holding a BA Hons in Print and Typography, she undertook training in traditional acid-based etching within specialist studios. Rooted in her earlier years on the edge of Dartmoor, she now works from her studio in walking distance of the River Derwent, White Peak, Derbyshire. Her work has been exhibited widely in the UK including in shows at the RWA Bristol, Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair and selected for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. Adkins was elected Printmakers’ Printmaker at Printfest 2024.
CV
Solo shows
The future is the light on the water, Llantarnum Grange, Cwmbran, Wales, 2024
Confluence II at LCB Depot, Leicester, 2023
Confluence at Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk, 2021, alongside Norman Ackroyd
Selected group exhibitions
Paper Works, Royal West of England Academy, 2025
Winter Show, Altaer Space, Derbyshire, 2024
Winter Show, Leicester Print Workshop, 2024
Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy, 2024, selected
Summer Exhibition, ZIllah Bell Gallery, Thirsk, 2024
Members Annual Show, Leicester Print Workshop, 2023
Royal West of England Open, 2023
Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, 2022
Members Annual Show, Leicester Print Workshop, 2022
Royal West of England Open, 2021
Hang Small, Old Lock Up Gallery, Cromford, Derbyshire, 2021
Off the press, Old Lock Up Gallery, Cromford, Derbyshire, 2021
Pressing On, Leicester Print Workshop, 2021
Spring Up, Angelus Gallery, Winchester College, 2020
Contemporary print opens and fairs
The Hepworth Wakefield Print Fair, 2025
Compton Verney Print Fair, 2024
Printfest, 2024 (as Printmakers’ Printtmaker)
The Hepworth Wakefield Print Fair, 2024
Cheltenham Craft, 2024
Printfest, 2023
The Hepworth Wakefield Print Fair, 2023
Cheltenham Craft, 2023
Black Swan Arts Open, Frome, 2022
Printfest, 2022
Hepworth Wakefield Print Fair, 2022
Nottingham Contemporary Print Fair, 2022
Sheffield Print Fair, 2022
Leicester Print Workshop, 2022
Awards
Printmakers’ Printmaker, Printfest 2023
Showcase Award, Cheltenham Craft, 2023
Arts Council Award, DYCP, 2022
Best Newcomer, Printfest 2020
Print Associations
Leicester Print Workshop 2020 ongoing
Badger Press, Bishops Waltham, 2018 - 2020
Publications
Confluence, Sally Adkins, 2022