About Gemma Compton

Gemma Compton is an artist, illustrator and fashion designer based in Bristol. Compton’s incredible portraiture ability combines with her distinctive urban art style, creating truly breath-taking contemporary artworks which primarily deal with themes of love, life, loss, and the beauty of nature.

With a First Class (Hons) degree in Fashion Illustration Gemma Compton not only creates stunning paintings and limited edition art prints, but also gorgeous art work which has been featured on clothing within the fashion industry. Gemma Compton has also featured her artwork at Claridges and Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

"My work always seems to fluctuate between subjects of life and death. I was a passenger in a serious RTA when I was 18. I sustained multiple injuries including breaking my spine and life went on hold for almost a year while I was in recovery. Art and creating became a huge focus for me to deal with what had happened and move forward. Now, over 20 years on I am left with scars and chronic pain but art has become the cornerstone of my life. My paintings explore the juxtaposition of the strength and fragility of life. I use motifs such as flowers and insects with short life cycles, and I paint a lot of birds, especially small song birds. Such tenacity in a small creature, it’s desire to survive, the fight or flight is fascinating. I call my works 'Memento Mori' even though I know they are not the still lifes of that traditional genre. But every time I paint and leave my mark, I feel grateful. Every painting I make is my second chance." - GC.