People I’ve Known and Painted

By Mary Whitlock – Artist and Arts Educator


Exhibitions and Prizes

Ruth Borchard Collection Self-Portrait Prize 2025

I’m very excited to announce that my work Lifted by the Greats has been longlisted for the Ruth Borcahrd Collection Self- Portrait Prize 2025.

As part of this, the painting will be in an online exhibition alongside the other works selected for the exhibition.

The exhibition is from 21st July 2025 to 7th January 2026 and can be viewed via the link below.


London Art Biennale 2025

Exciting news!

My most recent work Panorama was exhibited at the London Art Biennale 2025 this summer.

It was a fantastic opportunity to show my piece alongside other contemporary artists from all round the world, so I’m very grateful to have been selected.

The exhibition was from Thursday 17th July to Sunday 20th July at Chelsea Old Town Hall on the King’s Road, London.


Holt Festival 2022 – Winner of the Sworder’s Prize for Young Artists

In July 2022, my work Time to Party was selected to be exhibited as part of the Holt Festival, at Adrian Hill Fine Art, and was the winner of the Sworder’s Prize for Emerging Artists.


Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2021 – Winner of the British Institution Award for Students

My work Lockdown: A Self Portrait was selected to be exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2021 (September 2021 to January 2022) and won the British Institution Fund Award for Students.

It was great to be part of Yinka Shonibare’s Summer Exhibition, and take part in the presentation of prizes by the president of the RA, Rebecca Salter, in the Academicians’ Room.


London Art Biennale 2021

The first time I exhibited was at the London Art Biennale in 2021, with my piece Mirror Self. It was very exciting to be selected and an excellent opportunity to show my work alongside artists from 60 nations across the world.