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Tess Gilmartin in the studio.

Tess Gilmartin is a Wirral based visual artist who creates drawings and paintings inspired by the world around her. Using bright colour palettes and confident gestural mark making, Gilmartin makes joyful art to celebrate the things she loves, such as people, animals and flowers.

Tulips (2022)

Tess II (2022)

Studio Me

Gilmartin is part of Studio Me, Blue Room’s artist development project. Through this she received mentoring from acclaimed artist, Tanya Raabe Webber. Together, the artists explored different methods of drawing, mark making and painting.

Tanya Raabe Webber's website

Recent Projects

Billboard at the Bluecoat, 2024

In March 2024, Tess was commissioned by the Bluecoat to share her largest work to date; ‘Horse Big’ as an outdoor billboard on the exterior of the building.

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Tess Gilmartin, 'Horse Big'. Photography by Rob Battersby.

LUSH Advent Calendar Commission, 2024

Following this, the global cosmetic retailer LUSH selected the design to adorn their 2024 advent calendar box. As part of Liverpool’s first Neurodiversity Arts Festival in September 2024, Gilmartin celebrated her commission by producing the large scale window installation ‘Flowers in the Window’ in the city’s flagship Lush Spa store.

Flowers in the Window at LUSH Liverpool. Photography by Brian Roberts.

LUSH Advent Calendar 2024

In the film below, Tess Gilmartin and members of the Blue Room team share insight into the artwork that has become Lush’s festive advent calendar design for 2024.

Film made by Lush Cosmetics, 2024.

Liverpool Art Fair and Williamson Art Gallery

Her work has been selected for both local and national exhibitions for example at the Williamson Art Gallery. After exhibiting in the Level Centre’s open exhibition she won the People’s Choice award at arts centre in Derbyshire.

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Tess Gilmartin with 'Flowers', Williamson Art Gallery

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'Horse', which Tess won the People's choice award for.

Awards and Commissions

Tess' work has been selected for both local and national exhibitions, for example at the Williamson Art Gallery. She was also given the People's Choice award following an exhibition at Level; a contemporary arts centre in Derbyshire.

Finalist: Artist of the Year, Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards, 2025

People’s Choice Award, Level Centre, Derbyshire, 2024

Lush Advent Calendar, LUSH, 2024

Studio Me Billboard Commission, Bluecoat, 2024