Background
Freya Horsley was born in Bath in 1979 and studied at University of Central England (BA Hons Fine Art – First Class Honours, 1998-2001) and University of York (MA History of Art – Distinction, 2002-03).

Her work and inspirations
Rooted in the landscape of mountains, moors and coast, Freya’s work explores both the permanent, elemental nature of land and the more transient light and weather which keep it in constant flux. Walking in the North York Moors, the Lake District and the South West provides a rich and ever changing base for her drawings and paintings.

While much of the work has a particular starting point, Freya often focuses more on the experience of being in the landscape than on the geographical specifics of a site, exploring the less tangible aspects of the land - sounds, space, light, wind, weather, movement. She records these senses as marks and notes as she walks and then later in her studio works from these notes and memories to distil a sense of place and space, responding to the painting as it evolves. Freya comments, “The paintings are built up using layers of fluid translucent paint, in addition to more textured, physical areas, to explore this tension between permanence and change in the landscape”.

Recent Exhibitions
Freya’s work has been exhibited throughout the north of England since 2003. Most recently her work has featured in York Open Studios, Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, Artexny, Castle Howard, North Yorkshire Open Studios, Northern Art Show, Harrogate and Porthminster Gallery, St. Ives.

Freya is currently based in Yorkshire but has also recorded travels to Europe, Canada and more recently, the Himalayas of Nepal