Biography

Louise Duggan is a Chichester-based artist who, after graduating from Leicester University trained as an interior designer. 

Working throughout London for many high-end interior design firms before relocating to Dubai where she spent the next 20 years designing and producing artworks for hotels and the private residencies of the world’s elite.

She is a fierce multidisciplinary artist whose work is a journey of discovery. Louise spent her childhood, living and travelling throughout Africa. This became extremely influential on her work as she deftly demonstrates elements of the African aesthetic, the abstract human figures, expressing an idea rather than a subject. 

Using mixed media, bright colours & bold compositions she challenges her own subconscious beliefs through both therapy and her art, capturing and documenting this transformative journey.

She currently runs Ophelia Art Consultancy LTD with offices in the UK and Dubai, whilst working on her own collection.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I am predominantly a painter, but really work in mixed media, utilizing various mediums to achieve the narrative I want to share. Having spent my childhood in West and East Africa, what I saw growing up has heavily influenced my style. I would see painted houses, abstract carvings and the human figure represented in an abstract form. There was a sense of mysticism and spirituality in these works.

My love of abstract art stems from these images followed by later studying the profound effect of African art on modern art. African art is embedded in my DNA so often I find myself marking a canvas with repetitive shapes or creating a mask like face when depicting a person. 

I strive to paint my emotions and ideas, art allows me the freedom to communicate, to create a dialogue. I intuitively layer different mediums to create depth to the visual experience I want to share.

My voice is often through my art, it allows me a space to be authentic.

In 2023 I collaborated with  fellow artist Bobby Dazzler to set up “Tea, Coffee and Tequila”. Our aim is to promote contemporary art by organizing group exhibitions. 

We have put on two exhibitions; the last exhibition was a collection of contemporary female artists in Chichester’s Oxmarket contemporary gallery.