Exhibitions

  • A monumental joint exhibition by Emma Woolley and Tara Harris exploring emotion, memory and the unseen through large-scale contemporary painting.

    Seventh Circle – Artworks & Aesthetics Ltd, Birmingham

    • PV: Saturday 6th June, 6–8pm

    • Exhibition: 6 June – 5 July 2026

    • Closing Party: 3rd July (Digbeth First Friday)

    Featuring the Totem series and new works developed for the exhibition.

  • Group exhibition inspired by Cervantes’ Don Quixote.

    8 – 25 April 2026
    The Courtyard Gallery at The Core, Solihull

    Featuring Once More by Emma Woolley.

  • Emma Woolley exhibited as part of the Renaissance Open Call exhibition at Seventh Circle, a group show exploring transformation, renewal and the courage of new beginnings, with two works responding to personal moments of change and forward motion.

    Private View: 24 January 2026, 6–8pm
    Exhibition: 24 January – 22 February 2026
    Seventh Circle – Artworks & Aesthetics Ltd, Birmingham

  • Emma Woolley exhibited in the Taste Open Call at • nook • gallery & studios, a group exhibition bringing together 60 artists responding to food, shared meals and the rituals of gathering through art, craft and design.

    Private View: 6 March 2026, 6–8pm
    Exhibition: 6 – 29 March 2026
    • nook • gallery & studios, Kings Heath, Birmingham

  • Open studio exhibition featuring new large-scale portrait works, paintings in progress and selected works from Emma Woolley’s evolving contemporary painting practice.

    The Custard Factory, Digbeth, Birmingham

  • Solo presentation of The Wonder Series, a body of portrait paintings exploring crafted joy, longing and dreamlike emotional states through cinematic composition and colour.

    • nook • gallery & studios, Kings Heath, Birmingham

  • Group exhibition exploring paper as both surface and concept through contemporary art, drawing and mixed media practices.

    • nook • gallery & studios, Kings Heath, Birmingham

  • Large-scale public exhibition celebrating Birmingham’s creative community through collaborative contemporary artwork and artist-led installation.

    All Saints, Birmingham

  • Group exhibition responding to the colour yellow through contemporary painting, print and mixed media works.

    • nook • gallery & studios, Kings Heath, Birmingham

  • Open studio event featuring works from The Wonder Series alongside live painting demonstrations and new portrait works.

    The Moseley Exchange, Birmingham

  • Artist-led exhibition trail presenting contemporary artworks throughout unexpected spaces and independent venues across Kings Heath.

    Kings Heath, Birmingham

  • Open studio exhibition featuring portrait works, drawings and selected works in progress from Emma Woolley’s studio practice.

    Birmingham

  • Open studio exhibition featuring contemporary portrait painting and works exploring emotional expression through figurative imagery.

    Birmingham

  • Group exhibition celebrating Birmingham artists through contemporary painting, mixed media and collaborative creative practice.

    Birmingham

  • Group exhibition showcasing Birmingham-based artists, designers and makers through contemporary creative practice and independent culture.

    MAC Centre - Birmingham

Press/Media

  • Paints squeezed out from tubes in various colors arranged on a wooden surface.

    Arts to Hearts - 5 Oil Painters Who Remind Us Why This Medium Will Never Fade

    Featured in Arts to Hearts Project, August 2025. Selected as one of five contemporary oil painters celebrated for keeping the medium alive and showing why its power and relevance will never fade.

    Read the full article here

  • Indoor exhibit of geometric, white, animal-shaped structures resembling oxen or buffalo, with some display screens, in a dark room with visitors.

    The best exhibitions to see across Birmingham

    Featured in Birmingham Wire, August 2025. Selected as one of the best exhibitions to see across the city, highlighting key artists and shows shaping Birmingham’s cultural scene.

    Link in article

  • Artwork of two women with colorful hair and painted faces, with black background and white text on the right side. The text mentions Emma Woolley, 'The Space Between Us,' hashtag 05, and awards from Women in Art Prize 2025.

    Shortlisted for the Women in Art Prize 2025

    21/07/2025

    I’m incredibly honoured to share that my painting The Space Between Us Hashtag 05 has been shortlisted for the Women in Art Prize 2025, in the Paula Rego Painting Prize category

    Read More Here

  • Photo and biography of Emma Woolley, showcasing her artwork themes, influences, and exhibitions. Portrait of Emma Woolley in front of her paintings.

    Birmingham Mail

    01/08/25

    Featured as one of Birmingham’s 10 Rising Artists in the Birmingham Mail, August 2025.
    Part of a citywide spotlight on emerging creatives, written by art critic Ruth Millington.

    Download Full Article Here

  • A newspaper page featuring an art event with multiple images of artists and artworks, including a woman with glasses and tattoos, and an art gallery with paintings. Text announces an exhibition of ten artists in Birmingham.

    Birmingham Post

    31/07/25

    Featured as one of Birmingham’s 10 Rising Artists in the Birmingham Post, July 2025.
    Written by Ruth Millington as part of a special feature on emerging talent across the city.

    Download Full Article Here

Contemporary Birmingham portrait artist

Emma Woolley is a contemporary portrait artist based in Birmingham, UK. Her work explores intimacy and emotional presence through oil painting and mixed media portraiture.

Learn more