GEMMA LESSINGER

Name: Gemma Lessinger

Location: Newquay, Cornwall, United Kingdom

Website: www.gemmalessinger.com

Email: hello@gemmalessinger.com

Social Media:

• Instagram: @gemmalessingerart

• Facebook: Gemma Lessinger Art

• Pinterest: Gemma Lessinger Art

Artist Statement:

As a Cornwall-based artist, I am mesmerized by the sea and my textured artworks are an ode to the wild, powerful, and healing properties of time spent by the ocean. My aim in all I create is to bring your beach memories to life in your home, wherever you may be.

I am passionate about being as sustainable as possible, focusing on repurposing and up-cycling other people’s waste into my treasure.  Aiming to use my art to help protect what I love, the ocean.

The signature in all my work is texture, I strive to keep pushing boundaries in my paintings, creating a sculptural nature to my pieces.  I do this using these two unique elements:

SAND - using a light sprinkling of sand collected from the exact beach your memory is from. Each location gives different colours and size of grain, creating a completely bespoke look with each piece.

REPURPOSED MATERIALS - up-cycling other people’s waste to create another dimension of texture in my work. Creating sculptural, 3D works that you want to reach out and touch. From waste fibreglass from surfboard manufacturing, neoprene offcuts, beach plastic, ghost fishing net and even using damaged old surfboards destined for landfill as a canvas.

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design

• Art and Design GNVQ & A-Levels at college level

Professional Experience:

• Nearly 20 years in retail buying and production roles within the fashion industry

• Started my Art business in 2020, working part time in buying career.

• Transitioned to full-time artist in 2023

Exhibitions:

·      Outlined Gallery – London

o   October - December 2021

o   Joint exhibition with 4 other Artists at Embassy Gardens – Battersea, London

·      Rock Institute – Rock, Cornwall

o   19th – 23rd October 2022

o   Joint Exhibition with Martyn Dempsey & Friends

·      Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange – Newlyn, Cornwall

o   November 2023 – April 2024

o   Work exhibited as part of ‘Storm Warning’ with a collaborative project with Waterhaul.

·      The Old Lifeboat House – Porthleven, Cornwall

o   17th – 25th August 2024

o   Self Curated Joint Exhibition with Seascape Artist Sophie Bagnall

Upcoming Exhibitions:

• The National Lobster Hatchery – Padstow, Cornwall

• May 23 – June 1, 2025

• A collection of paintings exhibited at The National Lobster Hatchery in Padstow, Cornwall.

• Inspire Makers – Falmouth, Cornwall

• July 1 – July 26, 2025

• A selection of works showcased at Inspire Makers Gallery in Falmouth.

• The Old Lifeboat House – Porthleven, Cornwall

• August 16 – August 30, 2025

• Joint exhibition with fellow seascape artist Sophie Bagnall at The Old Lifeboat Station in Porthleven, Cornwall.

Permanent Displays:

Collections of work are on permanent display in the following luxury Cornish hotel & restaurant spaces:

- The Ugly Butterfly Restaurant at Carbis Bay Estate
- Watergate Bay Hotel, Newquay
- Lusty Glaze Beach, Newquay
- St Enodoc Hotel, Rock
- Bedruthen Hotel, Mawgan Porth
- Catch Restaurant - Mawgan Porth
- The Esplanade Hotel, Fistral

I also was selected to create a printed wall mural to transform a 15m x 9m wall for Spaceport Cornwall in 2022.  It was featured on news channels globally during the Virgin Orbit space launch.  Since then, Spaceport Cornwall has become a globally leading educational and business hub for the Space industry and my mural has been seen by thousands of industry leaders, government bodies and educational team from around the world.  To find out more click here.

Workshops and Creative Experiences:

I am passionate about encouraging others to explore their creativity. I offer various workshops, including 'Wearable Waves' clothing workshops, repurposed art workshops, and at-home courses. These sessions are designed to help participants connect with their creative selves and enjoy moments of calm.

https://www.gemmalessinger.com/creativeexperiences

Collaborations and Projects:

• Repurposing surfboards destined for landfill, old skateboard decks, wooden belly boards, and surfboard fins as canvases for my art.

• Collaborated with Newquay-based printer The Logical Choice Group and Rochfort Surfboards to create unique surf art pieces.

• Collaborated with global Sports brand Buff to create to capsule collection using my Artwork:

https://www.gemmalessinger.com/brand-collaborations

Sustainability and Environmental Commitment:

I am committed to sustainability and protecting the ocean. I support various charities, including Surfers Against Sewage, The RNLI, and Ecologi, which plants a tree for every pound donated. My art often incorporates repurposed materials, such as fiberglass offcuts from surfboard manufacturing, to build texture and depth.

Press and Publications:

• Featured in various publications worldwide including Vogue, World of Interiors, Home & Gardens magazines, and local publications Drift, Cornwall Living, Cornwall Life.

• Work included in private collections worldwide; from France, Germany, Spain to USA, Mexico, Japan, Dubai and Australia.

Skills:

• Acrylic painting

• Mixed media art

• Textural techniques

• Workshop facilitation

• Sustainable art practices

References: Available upon request.

Note: All information is accurate as of February 23, 2025.