The Women in Art Prize 2026
Joy Has No Size
Oil on board.
'Joy has No Size' is part of a collection called 'Humans'
More in the series below.
'Joy Has No Size' - Oil on Board
Humans
'Freedom' -Oil on Board
'Under the Surface' - Oil on Board
'Grief' - Oil and Cold Wax
This painting depicts a woman experiencing grief while being unable to express it openly. Her posture echoes the form of a crow flying above her, creating a visual connection between the figure and the bird. Crows and ravens have long been associated with grief, loss, memory, and transformation in mythology and folklore. Painted in oils and cold wax, the textured surface and muted tones reflect the complexity and quiet weight of unspoken sorrow.
Painted in oils on board at A1 scale, this contemporary work depicts a bearded man swimming beneath the surface of the water. Water lilies drift above and around him, while a painter's palette floats overhead. Clenched between his teeth is a paintbrush. Although the water lilies evoke the paintings of Monet, the figure's modern swimming shorts place the scene firmly in the present, creating a dialogue between past and contemporary artistic experience.
The painting symbolises complete immersion in the creative process. The submerged figure suggests a journey into the depths of imagination and the subconscious, while the paintbrush held firmly in his mouth speaks of determination and an enduring artistic identity. The floating palette and surrounding water lilies acknowledge the influence of artists such as Monet, yet the contemporary clothing reminds us that creativity is timeless and continually reinterpreted. The work can be seen as an exploration of inspiration, artistic heritage, and the often all consuming nature of making art.
This contemporary oil painting presents a quietly surreal portrait of a woman. Dressed in an elegant ball gown yet seated within a shopping trolley adorned with roses, she occupies a space that feels both intimate and unfamiliar. The contrast between refinement and mundanity invites a tension that resists easy explanation.
Her expression is thoughtful, inward looking, suggesting memory, reflection, or perhaps a private reckoning. There is no clear narrative just the softness of the roses, the rigid structure of the trolley, the stillness of her posture.
In the distance, a magpie rests in a tree, a subtle but deliberate presence. Traditionally associated omens, the bird introduces another layer of ambiguity. Whether it observes, remembers, or foreshadows is left unresolved.
The painting offers no fixed story. Instead, it asks the viewer to consider their own: Why is she there? Where has she come from? What is she thinking and what does the magpie know?
Painted in a contemporary style, this work depicts a confident woman wearing a bikini as she splashes and kicks the water in a lake or stream. Her blue and green hair and tattoos emphasise her individuality and modern identity, while her playful movement conveys a sense of freedom and delight. Fully at ease with herself and her surroundings, she embraces the simple joy of being present in the moment.
The painting celebrates self-acceptance and the idea that joy is not limited by age, appearance, or society's expectations. The figure's uninhibited playfulness speaks of liberation, confidence, and the importance of finding happiness without self-consciousness. Surrounded by nature, she embodies a carefree spirit and reminds us that joy belongs to everyone.