Carrie Ravenscroft

Carrie Ravenscroft is an artist and mental health advocate from London. She identifies as queer, poly and living with a chronic disability, which translates into her work. Carrie considers herself neurodivergent, having gone through a therapeutic journey that has enabled her to use her experiences to support others.

Illustrated pen and watercolour image of a figure seated on a lawn with their head bowed and legs out in front. They are surrounded by planting equipment and plants, a plant border, white fencing and coloured bunting hanging from the fence which reads clap 4 NHS.

Gardening 2021, Carrie Ravenscroft. Watercolour and pen on paper.
Original size 21x30cm

She aims to address discrimination, stigmatisation and ignorance through her work, with colourful, whimsical and nonsensical paintings. These works often feature symbols used to represent different things happening in Carrie’s life. As part of her recovery, and to help others feel less alone, Carrie intentionally talks openly about mental health and what she has been through. Connection, collaboration and community are all things Carrie is currently thinking more about.

Image is a pen and watercolour drawing showing the interior of a poorly stocked chemist. A figure stands at the open door accompanied by a potted plant and a cat. On the door it reads: 1 in 1 out. A figure stands behind the shop counter wearing a mask covering their mouth and nose. There is an illuminated medical cross symbol in the shop window.

Medication 2021, Carrie Ravenscroft. Watercolour and pen on paper.
Original size 30x21cm.

Carrie oscillates between seeing art as psychological escapism OR an immersion. She absolutely LOVES blending pretty, shiny colours, painting on pieces of cardboard, breaking art rules and mixing media in ridiculous ways!

Image is a watercolour and pen drawing of a figure sitting on a bed with a small four-legged animal in a lilac walled room. There is a four paned window and a bullet-pointed to do list on the wall, which reads adapt, communicate, love, accept, create, help, clean and listen. There is a blank space next to the last bullet point. There is a plant on a shelf behind the bed and three candles are lit below.

My Room 2021, Carrie Ravenscroft. Watercolour and pen on paper.
Original size 21x30cm

In 2022 Carrie received a DYCP grant from the Arts Council to help her develop herself as an artist and workshop facilitator. Her work was also exhibited in 2022 at Casa Chromatic in St Pancras Hospital in London, and in Pause for Thought at the Shoe Factory in Norwich.

Find out more about her practice on her website here and keep up to date by following her Instagram here.

Image is a watercolour and pen drawing of a figure sitting on a bathroom floor. There are four plant pots on the floor, each has a letter on it which together spell the word GROW. The bath is full of different plants. A cat or dog site on the bathroom shelf next to a row of bottles that spell out the word CLEAN.

Tropical Plants 2021, Carrie Ravenscroft. Watercolour and pen on paper.
Original size 30x21cm.

Updated June 2022