Urban Instincts, my first solo exhibition

What wildness lives within our walls… and within ourselves?

I’m thrilled (and, truthfully, a little nervous!) to share that my very first solo gallery exhibition, Urban Instincts, is opening this September at New House Art Space in Guildford. This is a huge milestone for me as an artist- whilst I’ve had success participating in group shows in Surrey and London, this will be my first solo show, bringing together four years of work into one space for the very first time.

About the exhibition

Urban Instincts explores the tension between nature and the built environment. Vivid, street art–inspired works bring animals to life as they reclaim their place in the city, while a series of layered self-portraits blurs the boundaries between human and animal, the contained and the free.

This exhibition brings together work from across my practice, including several pieces that have never been shown before. Since Cooking with Gas (a bold, stylised self-portrait) was selected as a finalist in the 2025 SAA Artist of the Year competition, I’ve taken the leap to share my portrait work publicly for the first time. Until now, these pieces have been something I’ve held close, so unveiling them feels both exciting and significant.

You can learn more about the 2025 SAA Artist of the Year competition here and cast your vote in the People’s Choice here.

When & where

📍 New House Art Space, Fays Passage, Guildford, GU1 4SQ

📅 5th – 7th September 2025

✨ Private View: Friday 5th September (7-9pm) Free tickets available here.

It’s a short exhibition, but as Netflix’s latest romcom My Oxford Year wisely puts it, “just because something is fleeting, doesn’t mean it’s not meaningful.”

Join me

If you’re local (or fancy a trip to Surrey), I’d love for you to come along. Entry is free, but tickets for the Private View can be reserved by clicking here. I’ll be at the gallery to chat about the work on opening night, and from 10am-3pm on the Saturday as it coincides with Drink & Draw!

Your support means the world to me- whether that’s visiting the exhibition, sharing it with a friend, or just following along online. Thank you for helping me celebrate this next chapter in my artistic journey.

I can’t wait to share Urban Instincts with you.

Sam

Location: New House Art Space, Fays Passage, Guildford, GU1 4SQ