British Art 1975 to Present Day

Born in Suffolk Hambling studied at the East Anglia School of Painting, 1960-61, Camberwell, 1962-67 and the Slade, 1967-69.

In 1981 she was the first artist in residence at the National Gallery, London.  She has exhibited widely and had a major solo exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery, London in 1987.

After a period of experimentation, involving conceptual and installation art, Hambling decided to return to her primary concern, which was the painting of portraits.

In her career she has painted people from many walks of life, including musicians, actors, lawyers, academics, scientists and people in the streets or in pubs.

Charlie Abrew was one of the many life models that came through Hambling’s studio in the early 1970s.  Abrew had been a boxer, but had lost his sight.  The sense of his physical stature and his powerful hands fascinated the artist.  The overall impact of the painting is one of quiet dignity in recognition of the subject’s inner strength.