CELIA PIKE Surrey Artist: Biography

Celia Pike was born in Dorking, Surrey in 1952. She was educated at a number of art schools, culminating in a BA in Fine Art from St. Martin's School of Fine Art in 1974 and the Royal Academy Postgraduate Certificate from the Royal Academy Schools in 1977. During this period she won both the Richard Jack Prize for portraiture and the David Murray Scholarship. Although she has painted in a number of styles, she is now universally acclaimed for her portraits of cats, including her own much loved pets. She has also worked closely with Cats Protection, clearly demonstrating a strong personal affinity for our feline friends. A number of major exhibitions have included examples of her work including the Royal Academy and the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours. But probably the most potent testament to her talent has been the large number of major galleries (approaching ten in all) that have clamoured to represent her work over recent years. Celia now works from an airy studio in South London.