WELCOME
I'm Paulette McKoy, a London-based abstract artist exploring transformation, identity, and nature through layered textures and rich colour. My work draws on cultural memory and everyday materials to create meaningful, expressive pieces.
This portfolio showcases selected works across canvas, paper, and mix media. I welcome opportunities for gallery exhibitions, interior collaborations, and funded projects. Please get in touch for commissions or partnerships.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My art practice is deeply rooted in intuition, driven by emotion and instinct. Each piece begins with a raw, unfiltered base layer—urgent and alive. There’s a raw beauty in that initial burst of energy, created in moments, but as I build on it, the work evolves. While some of that rawness gives way to control, I’ve come to embrace this tension as an essential part of the creative process. Trusting my instincts, I take risks, knowing they will lead me to uncharted territories and new discoveries. Creating art is a dynamic dialogue—a dance between intuition and medium. Abstraction liberates the work from rigid boundaries, inviting viewers to bring their own stories and emotions to the experience. This openness is central to my practice, fostering a deeper connection between the art and the audience.
My paintings hover between abstraction and figuration, where partially formed figures and organic shapes emerge and dissolve back into a shifting space. This exploration blurs the boundaries between the conscious and subconscious, unrestrained by limitations of time, inviting each viewer to discover their own unique story within the layers of texture, line, and colour. Colour and texture are the lifeblood of my work. Each mark I make carries memories, emotions, and sensations, weaving together dreamlike landscapes that capture the essence of a moment or place. Every layer tells a story—of transformation, resilience, and the passage of time. Beyond paint, I explore mixed media, layering diverse materials to craft texture, depth, and light. I draw inspiration from the everyday—cracked pavements, weathered metal, and the ageing bark of a tree—finding beauty in the overlooked and ephemeral.
I create pieces that invite pause, reflection, and emotional engagement. Through texture, colour, and movement, I aim to spark moments of hope, healing, and self-discovery. My goal is not only to create art but to share inspiration and joy, crafting pieces that resonate on a deeply personal level with everyone who encounters them. I believe art has the power to transform, to heal, and to connect us to our shared humanity.
SELECTED WORK
PRESS/PUBLICATIONS
CV
EDUCATION
2021 - 2022 University of Arts LondonPgCert in Academic Practice; Art, Design and Communication
2021 - 2022 Shades of Noir - Teaching Within ProgrammeDeveloping students’ awareness towards E&D
1995 - 1997 University of Salford - HND Fashion & Design
1994 - 1995 South Trafford College – BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art and Design
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2019 Royal Exchange Theatre - Rockets and Blue Lights Production
2017 Elizabeth James Gallery, London - Abstract Art Exhibition
2016 Nesta Gallery, London - Spring Exhibition
2015 Nesta Gallery, London - Summer Exhibition
2013 Nesta Gallery, London - Autumn Exhibition
2012 Debut Contemporary, London
2009 Black History Month, Dominion Arts Centre, London
2009 Spring Exhibition - Egg, Headspace, Liverpool
2008 Adam Street Gallery, London - Untitled
2008 Carlyle Gallery, London
2006 Dominion Centre, London
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2019 Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester (Duo Exhibition)
2017 Venue 28, London
2017 St Thomas's Hospital, London
2012 Debut Contemporary, London
2010 Redgate Gallery, London
2009 Royal Academy of Dance, London
2004 Café Lava, London
PUBLIC COMMISSIONS
2019 Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
2009 Royal Academy of Dance, London
2007 Arcadia London PUBLICATIONS
COVERAGE, INTERVIEWS & PRESS
2019 Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester - Spotlight
2019 Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester - Filmed Interview
2017 Croydon Radio - Interview surrounding my practice
2017 Croydon Radio 2012 Nesta London 2010 Flava Magazine
2015 Evening Standard - London
PAULETTE MCKOY
www.paulettemckoyart.com
paulettemckoyart@gmail.com
07957 513417
BIOGRAPHY
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Born and raised in Manchester, my artistic journey began to unfold after I graduated in Fashion Design and made the move to London. Initially entrenched in fashion, retail, and the arts, it wasn't until 2001 that I ventured into the realm of abstract painting, seeking self-expression and creative freedom beyond the confines of representational art.
Drawing from my background in fashion and dance, I infused my work with explosions of colour, texture, and movement. Music became a constant companion, inspiring the rhythm and energy that permeated my pieces. Throughout the painting process, I remained open to experimentation and improvisation, allowing each piece to evolve organically in response to the materials and my intuition.
Over the past decade, I've had the privilege of showcasing my artwork in solo and group exhibitions across the UK, including prestigious venues like the Royal Academy of Dance and in 2019, I was honoured to be selected to create a body of work for the play 'Rockets and Blue Lights' at the Royal Exchange Theatre, a significant milestone in my artistic journey.In 2022, I furthered my academic pursuits by earning a PgCert in Academic Practice in Art, Design and Communication from the University of Arts London, expanding my knowledge and deepening my commitment to my creative journey and artistic exploration.
In addition to exhibitions and academic pursuits, I've been fortunate to receive commissions to adorn homes and workspaces both nationally and internationally. Recently, I've taken the leap to establish my own art business, allowing me to further explore my creativity as a Creative Practitioner and connect with a wider audience, sharing the vibrancy of my work with others.