ARTIST HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH: LORNA ROSE

February 16, 2024

I seek to re -assemble and re- present images, not to record but to evoke; to inspire and  suggest, that our world, inner and outer is of our making.

Lorna, is a Barbadian artist who has spent much of her life living in England.


Formative years were spent on this island attending Queen’s College, and there her training in art began as ‘still life’ drawing and water colour painting.

However, ballet was her main focus and she attended Elmhurst Ballet School in England, and moved on to Fashion Design at Lucie Clayton.

After working in many areas of fashion; from costume to ‘wearable art’; with such names as ‘Annacat’, London, Koves Barbados, Cotton Days Barbados, and her own ‘lorna rose’ label; she moved on, teaching herself to paint using oil on canvas, and went on to exhibit and to sell her work, in both England and Barbados.

Galleries including The Barbican (group shows) London, Thebes Art Gallery, Lewes, England, and the former Kirby Gallery, Barbados, and Zemicon, Bridgetown Gallery Barbados.

Year 2000 she created a “Moon Calendar’ with pen and ink illustrations of the relative constellations, which was bought by Vinopolis London.

Years 2002-2004 Lorna was commissioned to design refurbishment for a hotel in Pembridge Square, Notting Hill, London; and has partially redecorated some private homes in England.

Between the years 2005-2007 her repertoire included pen and ink illustration drawings for interiors namely: World Travel Trade Show, London, Almond Bay Hotels Barbados, The Cricket Legends Museum Barbados.

Lorna has taken courses in psychology at Regents College, London; various courses in colour therapy, aromatherapy, and over ten years an intensive study of Buddha’s teachings.

In more recent years her repertoire has included pen and ink illustrations of interiors  namely: World Travel Trade Show, London; Almond Bay Hotels Barbados, The Cricket Legends Museum, Barbados.

The creation of a brand called “OSHUN’, marketing soft pouch bags of Ghanaian batik fabric, made in Barbados, happened in 2019.

Currently living in Barbados, Lorna is now fully engaged in painting, informed by all past learning and experience; and within the context of Caribbean art.

Recent work has included paintings sold in Barbados through Lime Grove Art Gallery, On The Wall at Champers, a copywrite to Oceans Two hotel Maxwell, and Gallery of Caribbean Art.

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