Artist’s statement

Sally Adkins is an 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 extended training in traditional acid-based etching within specialist studios, and has been both a print technician and print tutor. 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, has exhibited widely in the UK and was elected Printmakers’ Printmaker at Printfest 2024.

Solo shows

Llantarnum Grange, Cwmbran, Wales, 2024

Confluence II at LCB Depot, Leicester, 2023

Confluence at Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk, 2021, alongside Norman Ackroyd

Selected gallery group exhibitions

Summer Exhibition, ZIllah Bell Gallery, Thirsk, 2024

Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy, 2024, selected

Members Annual Show, Leicester Print Workshop, 2023

Members Annual Show, Leicester Print Workshop, 2022

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

Compton Verney Print Fair, 2024

Printfest, 2024

The Hepworth Wakefield Print Fair, 2024

Cheltenham Craft, 2024

Royal West of England Open, 2023

Printfest, 2023

The Hepworth Wakefield Print Fair, 2023

Cheltenham Craft, 2023

Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, 2022

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

Royal West of England Open, 2021

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

Teaching

Currently: Workshop tutor and print teacher in open access workshops and educational settings

Previously: Print Tutor and Print Technician at Winchester College, Hampshire, 2014-2019