Kingsley Napley shines a light on increasing the visibility of women creatives, with Joanna Gilbert

Striving to increase the visibility of women creatives is one of the six missions of International Women’s Day. Watch the interview with Katie Newbury and Joanna Gilbert, an abstract artist based in London, as they talk about the need for change and choosing the most effective ways to challenge inequality in the creative sector and for women generally.

Joanna emphasises the importance of incorporating mental health and wellbeing in her work and how it has helped her develop such a successful career as an artist.

“We are all pure potential. Our only limits are the ones we put on ourselves. If we lose those limits, we uncover resilience, hope, freedom and limitless potential. It is from this place of security and wellbeing that I paint,” says Joanna.

About Joanna Gilbert

Joanna is an abstract artist based in London. Using inspiration from the surrounding world, Joanna uses colour to create large-scale vibrant abstract paintings. She is also a strong supporter of positive mental health and wellbeing and paints from a palette of “hope, love and understanding”. Joanna also works with iheart, a non-profit mental health organisation that provides courses to support the mental health of young people, parents, schools and educators.

Before becoming an artist professionally, Joanna graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a marketing degree. She has since completed a Master’s in Fine Art from one of London’s leading art colleges, Chelsea College of Arts.

About Katie Newbury

Katie is a Partner in the Immigration team and has over 10 years’ experience across a wide spectrum of UK immigration matters, with particular expertise in applications made under Tier 1 of the Points Based System and complex personal immigration matters.

She regularly provides commentary on the workings of the UK Immigration Rules and is often involved in lobbying the Home Office, including in relation to the design of a future post-Brexit UK immigration system.