New Solo Show from artist Sophie Abbott - No Grit, No Pearl

About

Brighton-based artist Sophie Abbott, renowned for her vibrant and evocative paintings, will be unveiling her highly anticipated new solo exhibition, No Grit, No Pearl, at the historic Regency Townhouse.

Much of Abbott’s work is inspired by the sea, skies, and landscapes, many of which are in Sussex where she lives. They take viewers on a visual journey through life, love, and loss, as seen through the artist’s unique lens.

Set within the Grade I listed Regency Townhouse, this one-of-a-kind exhibition spans two floors, each filled with Abbott’s expressive, life-affirming works. Created over the past two years, these pieces reflect her personal healing process following the sudden loss of her mother. The exhibition draws viewers into a world of vivid colours and sweeping seascapes, showcasing Abbott’s passion for the sea and her ability to translate emotion into art.

Abbott explains the origin of this deeply personal exhibition:

"On my last holiday with my Mum, we were graced with these stunning pink skies. After she died, I found myself returning to those skies in my paintings—this instinctual need to create something beautiful out of something difficult. The skies became my way of processing grief."

Visitors will be transported through a collection of Abbott’s works, from serene pink skies that promote feelings of calm and healing to dramatic seascapes inspired by her immersion in nature. The first floor of the exhibition is dedicated to a series of sky paintings that celebrate the ethereal beauty of nature’s light, crafted with Abbott’s signature layering techniques.

The second floor brings visitors closer to the artist’s connection with the sea—a constant theme in her work, whether inspired by the coastlines of Brighton and West Wittering or her travels to Menorca and Venice. The works evoke her ritual of returning to the sea for inspiration and clarity.

"The sea is where I go to clear my head and reconnect with the present moment. Whether in Brighton or exploring new coastlines, the experience of immersing myself in the water gives me a deep sense of joy. These moments, where I feel most alive, are what I channel into my paintings," she continues.

With sweeping views of the sea from The Regency Townhouse, the setting for No Grit, No Pearl perfectly complements the artworks on display, creating an immersive experience for visitors. This exhibition is a celebration of life’s beauty amidst its challenges, told through Abbott’s luminous paintings and her enduring connection to the natural world.

Sophie Abbott is a prolific Brighton-based artist known for abstract paintings inspired by the natural landscape. Rather than capturing specific views or locations, each ‘painted memory’ instead tells the story of a life spent in communion with nature. 

Via a joyous use of colour, energetic mark-making and her distinctive approach to texture and perspective, each of Abbott’s artworks immerses us in beauty, embodying how our senses are activated by the natural environment.

Abbott’s work can be found in homes, galleries and collections around the world. Her paintings have been featured in several TV shows, on packaging for an international drinks brand, and on a limited-edition rug created in collaboration with HABITAT, which sold out within days.