Jo Holdsworth

Jo Holdsworth is an Award Winning Contemporary British artist. Living and working in Wimbledon, South-West London, Jo takes inspiration from the city’s ever-changing landscape and urban city views. Her uplifting and unique paintings often include silhouetted figures, combining a subtle colour palette with loose, spontaneous brushwork. 

Jo’s artistic influences are far ranging. They include the American realist painters of the early twentieth century, in particular George Bellows known for his striking depictions of New York urban life, and the atmospheric paintings of Edward Hopper. Jo also cites LS Lowry as an important inspiration. Other influences include early Twentieth-Century photography and Jo refers to seeing Paul Strand’s photograph, Wall Street, 1915, as a pivotal moment, confirming to her the role of artist as onlooker. 

Jo is represented by several London galleries and exhibits widely, including in highly acclaimed solo and group shows. She was delighted to receive the accolade of Royal Arts Prize Visitor’s Choice Award Winner and her joint Award Winners’ Show was presented at the Royal Opera Arcade Gallery, Pall Mall, London in March 2020.

Jo’s distinctive paintings attract a loyal following and carry a strong message of hope for the future. She regularly undertakes commissions and her paintings are collected throughout the world. 

“She is a painter with a keen eye for colour and an almost cinematic appeal.  The paintings are panoramic and range from striking figure paintings to modern landscapes, all painted in subtle hues.”  Culture Vulture arts review

“The figures in her work, elongated and striking, dominate her oil on canvas paintings as recurrent leitmotifs. Faceless and eerie, they are denied identity.  But this anonymity means each one of them could be any one of us, adding to the undeniably potent imagery of Jo’s work.”  Arts & Collections

“Jo’s paintings of figures have a particular visual richness and spontaneity.”  Culture Vulture arts review

“Her work evokes, with uncanny semblance, the comings and goings of everyday life. With seemingly effortless brush strokes and a limited colour palette, she crafts an artistic window into quintessentially British scenes.”  Arts & Collections

“Like Lowry, Jo has an amazing eye for the dynamic patterns formed by a shifting crowd of people.”  Culture Vulture arts review 

Jo is also on the judging panel for Young Wimbledon Artists, encouraging art and artists of the future in Merton.

View a selection of Jo’s works below ↓