Artist Bio
Sam B. Kennedy (b. 1994) is an emerging artist from Surrey, most known for her vibrant mixed media paintings which balance elements of nature, chaos, structure, and tension. Inspired by the beauty and complexity of the world around us, Kennedy employs a distinctly 21st-century approach, merging traditional oil painting techniques with contemporary street art influences.
Her ‘Urban Animals’ series captures the spirit and dynamism of animals, exploring the relationship between wildlife and the built environment. Her pieces question our impact on the natural world, often incorperating found items embedded into the surface of the canvas itself to further the narrative of each piece.
Kennedy is currently developing a new series titled ‘21st Century Woman’. Through portraiture, she seeks to explore her own reflections on what it means to be a woman in today’s world, creating pieces that are deeply personal while resonating with wider contemporary themes.
Born in Surrey, England, Kennedy studied at the Arts University Bournemouth from 2012-2015, and then at the University of Reading from 2018-2018. Kennedy’s work in art education has not only inspired her students but also enriched her own creative practice, leading her to explore various disciplines, including ceramics, textiles, and photography.
Kennedy was a finalist for SAA’s ‘Artist of the Year’ competitions in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and subsequently had her work showcased in both London and Nottingham galleries alongside the other shortlisted artists. The Royal Society of British Artists named Kennedy a semi-finalist for the 2023 RBA Rome Scholarship and had her painting ‘Two for Joy’ displayed in the ‘RBA Rising Stars’ exhibition at the Royal Overseas League, London.
The artist’s work is in private collections in the United Kingdom, Unites States of America, and Spain. Kennedy has featured in both solo and group exhibitions, including at the Espacio Gallery, London; The Royal Overseas League, London; Boomer Gallery, London; Holy Art Gallery, London; New House Art Space, Guildford; Art & Grind, Guildford; The Horton, Epsom; and Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking.
Since 2018, Sam B. Kennedy has lived and worked in Woking, Surrey.
CV
Sam B. Kennedy
Born in 1994 in Surrey, UK.
Resides and works in Surrey, UK.
Education
2017-2018. PGCE (with QTS) in Secondary Art & Design. University of Reading, UK.
2012-2015. BA (Hons) Costume with Performance Design. Arts University Bournemouth, UK.
Selected exhibitions and residencies
2026
‘A collection by Sam B. Kennedy’ (solo exhibition). Art & Grind, Guildford, UK.
‘RBSA Portrait Prize 2026’ (group exhibition). RBSA Gallery, Birmingham, UK.
2025
‘Urban Instincts’ (solo exhibition). New House Art Space, Guildford, UK.
‘Artist in the Window’ residency as part of ‘Guildford Festival of the Arts’, Guildford, UK.
‘Colours of Summer’ (group exhibition). Art & Grind, Guildford, UK.
‘Winter Exhibition’ (group exhibition). The Mill Gallery, Elstead, UK.
‘Oil in Emotion’ (group exhibition). Art & Grind, Guildford, UK.
‘Evoking Connections: Unveiled’ (group exhibition). The Horton, Epsom, UK.
2024
‘SAA Artist of the Year’ (group exhibition). Nottingham Society of Artists, UK.
‘Artist in the Window’ residency. Art & Grind, Guildford, UK.
Selected works (rolling exhibition). Art & Grind, Guildford, UK.
‘Dreamscapes’ (group exhibition). The Holy Art Gallery, London, UK.
‘More than One Seat’ (group exhibition). Stokey Pop Up, London, UK.
2023
‘SAA Artist of the Year’ (group exhibition). Espacio Gallery, London, UK.
‘RBA Rising Stars’ (group exhibition). Royal Overseas League, London, UK.
‘What is Art?’ (group exhibition). Boomer Gallery, London, UK.
Selected works (solo exhibition). The Hideaway Cafe, Guildford, UK.
‘First for Art’ (group exhibition). Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, UK.
2022
‘First for Art’ (group exhibition). Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, UK.
‘The Vision Project’ (group exhibition). The Lightbox, Woking, UK.
Selected collections
Sam B. Kennedy is collected by various private collectors in the UK, USA, Kenya, and Spain.
Awards
2025
‘Artist of the Year’ (finalist). SAA, London, UK.
‘People’s Choice Award’ (winner). Art & Grind, Guildford, UK.
2024
‘Artist of the Year’ (finalist, highly commended). SAA, London, UK.
‘BTA Art Prize (longlist). Behind The Artist, UK.
2023
‘RBA Rising Stars’ (semi-finalist). Royal Society of British Artists, London, UK.
‘Artist of the Year’ (finalist). SAA, London, UK.
‘The Art of Collages’ (winner). Artrepreneur, UK.
Selected press & publications
Lydia Stockbridge, ‘Sam B. Kennedy: Interview” in Sound & Vision Zine (2026) [contributor]
SAA, “Puffins: Step by step tutorial” in Paint & Create Magazine (2025) [contributor]
SAA, “Street Art Inspired Puffin in Mixed Media” in SAA online resource (published in 2025) at [https://community.saa.co.uk/vod/exclusive-street-art-inspired-puffin-in-mixed-media-with-sam-b-kennedy/] [contributor]
SAA, “Texas Longhorn in Oil” in SAA online resource (published in 2025) at [https://community.saa.co.uk/vod/exclusive-texas-longhorn-in-acrylic-and-oil-with-sam-b-kennedy] [contributor]
SAA, “60 seconds with Sam B. Kennedy” in Paint & Create Magazine (2024) [contributor]
Jyotiee Balanie, “In conversation with Sam Kennedy” in The Best Address online resource (published in 2023) at [https://www.thebestaddress.co/in-conversation-with-sam-kennedy/] [contributor]
Ulrike Nina Siedel, “Sam B. Kennedy” in SuboArt Magazine (2023) [contributor]
Grant Milne, “Sam B. Kennedy, Two for Joy” in Artist Talk Magazine (2023) [contributor]
SAA, “30-minute painting challenge’ in Paint & Create Magazine (2022) [contributor]
Professional contributions
2024-2026. Drink & Draw Events Host. New House Art Space, Surrey, UK.
2024-2026. Drink & Draw Events Host. The Boileroom, Surrey, UK.
2024-2026. Teacher of Painting & Life Drawing. Surrey Adult Learning, Surrey, UK.
2022-2024. Teacher of Art & Photography. LVS Ascot, Berkshire, UK.
2018-2022. Teacher of Art. Hoe Valley School, Surrey, UK.
2015-2018. Freelance Costume & Set Designer. Regional and national projects, UK.