Thea Penna
I was born in Harlow, Essex, and after completing my Art Foundation course at Harlow college I moved to Wakefield for three years where I studied Surface Pattern Design at Bretton Hall college of Art (part of Leeds University), which I loved. I was encouraged to use portraiture in my textile designs as I had such a passion for painting in this style.
After graduating with a First Class honours in 1997 I gained a place at The Royal College of Art, London, where I studied Printed Textiles for two years. I have worked in Textile design studios for just over 19 years.
Along side my textiles career I have worked on a variety of commissioned portraits and other figurative works for exhibitions around London, including the 'BP Portrait Awards' at the National Portrait Gallery, and the Mall Galleries.
In 2022 I was diagnosed with Autism. My children are also diagnosed Autistic, and I'm now a full time carer to my Son. Painting is my therapy and very important for me to try to continue painting when I can.
I currently live in the East End of London, Tower Hamlets, UK.
After graduating with a First Class honours in 1997 I gained a place at The Royal College of Art, London, where I studied Printed Textiles for two years. I have worked in Textile design studios for just over 19 years.
Along side my textiles career I have worked on a variety of commissioned portraits and other figurative works for exhibitions around London, including the 'BP Portrait Awards' at the National Portrait Gallery, and the Mall Galleries.
In 2022 I was diagnosed with Autism. My children are also diagnosed Autistic, and I'm now a full time carer to my Son. Painting is my therapy and very important for me to try to continue painting when I can.
I currently live in the East End of London, Tower Hamlets, UK.
CV
BIOGRAPHY
June 1999 - July 2018
Working in Printed Textiles
September 1997 - June 1999
Royal College of Art
MA Printed Textiles
September 1994 - June 1997
Bretton Hall College University of Leeds
BA (HONS) Textile and Surface Pattern Design - First Class
September 1992 - June 1994
Harlow College
BTEC Diploma Foundation Studies in Art and Design
Exhibitions
Group Exhibition:
5th May 2015
Miracles - fifty children - fifty artists exhibition, The Courtyard, 40 Pitfield Street, London, N1 6EU
23rd March - 27th March 2015
Miracles - fifty children - fifty artists exhibition, Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old Street, London EC1V 9LT
15th September - 26th September 2014
Miracles - fifty children - fifty artists exhibition, 27 Hammersmith Grove, London, W6 0NE
26th June - 5th July 2014
Society of Women Artists annual exhibition, Mall Galleries, London
19th October 2013
My portraits included in 'Beinghuman 108', RichMix, Bethnal Green Road
2nd September - 13th September 2013
'Human Face and Human Figure', Loughton Arts Centre
9th May - 24th May 2013
'SELF' in 'The Royal Society of Portrait Painters' annual exhibition, the Mall Galleries,
28th June - 7th July 2012
Society of Women Artists annual exhibition, Mall Galleries, London
7th June - 3rd July 2012
'Human Glue' exhibition at the 'Hundred Years Gallery', London
Nov - 2011 Jan 2012
'BP Portrait Awards 2011' on tour, Aberdeen Art Gallery
Oct - Nov 2011
'BP Portrait Awards 2011' on tour, Wolverhampton Art Gallery
June 2011
'BP Portrait Awards 2011', National Portrait Gallery, London
Feb - March 2011
'BP Portrait Awards 2010' on tour, Aberystwth Art Gallery
Nov 2010 - Jan 2011
'BP Portrait Awards 2010' on tour, Aberdeen Art Gallery
Oct - Nov 2010
'BP Portrait Awards 2010' on tour, Usher Gallery, Lincoln
June 2010
'BP Portrait Awards 2010', National Portrait Gallery, London
Aug 2006
'The Foundry', Hoxton, London
Feb 1999
'Virgin Territory’, Royal College of Art
Jan 1998/1999
'Work in Progress', Royal College of Art
July 1999
'New Designers', Business Design Centre, Islington
Achievements:
October 1998
Freelance Fashion Textile Design for Gianni Versace
Solo Exhibition:
March - April 2001
'Harlow Library', Harlow, Essex
Publications:
BP Portrait Award 2010 – NPG Publications (2010) ISBN 9781855144248
BP Portrait Award 2011 - NPG Publications (2011) ISBN 978-1855144491
500 Portraits: BP Portrait Award - National Portrait Gallery Publications (2011) ISBN 978-1855144484
'Artists & Illustrators' magazine - 'Life Drawing' interview August 2011 edition.
'Artists & Illustrators' magazine - 'Portfolio' March 2011 edition.
Group Exhibition:
5th May 2015
Miracles - fifty children - fifty artists exhibition, The Courtyard, 40 Pitfield Street, London, N1 6EU
23rd March - 27th March 2015
Miracles - fifty children - fifty artists exhibition, Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old Street, London EC1V 9LT
15th September - 26th September 2014
Miracles - fifty children - fifty artists exhibition, 27 Hammersmith Grove, London, W6 0NE
26th June - 5th July 2014
Society of Women Artists annual exhibition, Mall Galleries, London
19th October 2013
My portraits included in 'Beinghuman 108', RichMix, Bethnal Green Road
2nd September - 13th September 2013
'Human Face and Human Figure', Loughton Arts Centre
9th May - 24th May 2013
'SELF' in 'The Royal Society of Portrait Painters' annual exhibition, the Mall Galleries,
28th June - 7th July 2012
Society of Women Artists annual exhibition, Mall Galleries, London
7th June - 3rd July 2012
'Human Glue' exhibition at the 'Hundred Years Gallery', London
Nov - 2011 Jan 2012
'BP Portrait Awards 2011' on tour, Aberdeen Art Gallery
Oct - Nov 2011
'BP Portrait Awards 2011' on tour, Wolverhampton Art Gallery
June 2011
'BP Portrait Awards 2011', National Portrait Gallery, London
Feb - March 2011
'BP Portrait Awards 2010' on tour, Aberystwth Art Gallery
Nov 2010 - Jan 2011
'BP Portrait Awards 2010' on tour, Aberdeen Art Gallery
Oct - Nov 2010
'BP Portrait Awards 2010' on tour, Usher Gallery, Lincoln
June 2010
'BP Portrait Awards 2010', National Portrait Gallery, London
Aug 2006
'The Foundry', Hoxton, London
Feb 1999
'Virgin Territory’, Royal College of Art
Jan 1998/1999
'Work in Progress', Royal College of Art
July 1999
'New Designers', Business Design Centre, Islington
Achievements:
October 1998
Freelance Fashion Textile Design for Gianni Versace
Solo Exhibition:
March - April 2001
'Harlow Library', Harlow, Essex
Publications:
BP Portrait Award 2010 – NPG Publications (2010) ISBN 9781855144248
BP Portrait Award 2011 - NPG Publications (2011) ISBN 978-1855144491
500 Portraits: BP Portrait Award - National Portrait Gallery Publications (2011) ISBN 978-1855144484
'Artists & Illustrators' magazine - 'Life Drawing' interview August 2011 edition.
'Artists & Illustrators' magazine - 'Portfolio' March 2011 edition.
