Jemma Appleby

Jemma Appleby is a contemporary artist whose work explores architectural spaces and human environments. She is particularly renowned for her monochromatic charcoal drawings which - rendered with almost photographic precision - are characterised by minimalist forms, and sharp contrast between darkness and light.

Jemma graduated from City and Guilds of London Art School in 2009.  Her works have been showcased widely in the UK, France, Italy, Spain and Colombia. Selected exhibitions include regular inclusion in the Summer Exhibition at Royal Academy of Arts, London, and the RWA Annual Open Exhibition, Bristol, the Jerwood Drawing Prize, London, in 2014, ‘Architecture As Metaphor’ alongside the late Phyllida Barlow and Rachel Whiteread at the Griffin Gallery, in 2017, and LA.CU.NA at LAMB Arts, London, in 2016. Her drawings are featured in notable public collections including the Royal Academy of Engineering and she has been the recipient of several awards including the 2025 Lyon & Turnbull Award presented at The Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh.

In 2025, Jemma was elected as a Royal West of England Academician. She is also an elected member of The London Group and a founding member of artist-run curatorial group The Arborealists. Jemma is based in south east London.

We are looking forward to showing new work by Jemma in our January 2026 group exhibition ‘Music From Out There’. Register your interest.