‘I paint landscapes which express my somatic, emotional experience of being within the natural world and responding to its power, fragility, and temporality. Essentially, my work is about being in relationship with nature. My painting process involves invention and memory as well as finding inspiration by sketching and taking photographs outdoors before I begin painting in the studio. I work in oils because I love the brilliance and transparency of colour in oil paint. I want my work to convey a passionate sense of connection with the natural world, as a sanctuary for the human spirit.’
Riga Forbes studied Fine Art Painting at Chelsea College of Art, London Institute, where she received her BA Hons Degree with both installation and painting work. Many of Riga’s paintings and commissions now belong to private collections across the UK, Europe, Australia, South Africa, Canada and the US. In 2020 she was shortlisted for the Holly Bush Emerging Woman Artist Award 2020 and featured in both a solo show (2020) and group show (2021) at the Star Brewery Gallery, Lewes. In 2021 she was shortlisted for the Royal Cambrian Art Prize and exhibited in the Visual Artist’s Association International Exhibition. She was also shortlisted for the Visual Arts Open International Exhibition 2021.
In 2021 she was one of the Lorenzo Di Magnifico prize-winners in the Painting Awards at the Florence Biennale 2021 and had a solo show at Alistair Fleming in Lewes. In 2022 she participated in Artwave Festival at Celebrate Cuckmere Haven and Victoria Pavilion and at the Star Brewery Gallery ‘River Show’. She also exhibited her landscapes of Britain at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Galleria Turelli in Montecatini Terme, Tuscany. She has been shortlisted in 2022 and 2023 for the Wales Contemporary Prize & Exhibitions.
In 2023-24 Riga is being funded by the ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND to make a series of large landscapes of Britain. In 2024 Riga won the New & Emerging Artist Award with the Visual Artists Association. She now lives and works as a freelance artist in Sussex, UK and her paintings are available for sale directly.
