Biography
Creating art that invites you to feel, not just see.
Barbara Hoogeweegen is a dynamic contemporary painter celebrated for her bold use of colour and her exploration of the human psyche through both figurative and landscape paintings. Born in Amsterdam and later spending her formative years in Trinidad, Barbara’s artistic path was shaped by the island’s vibrant scenery and her mother’s close friendship with renowned painter Boscoe Holder. Watching Holder at work on the sun-soaked beaches of Trinidad ignited Barbara’s passion for art and influenced the rich, energetic palette that defines her work today.
Her artistic education took her to some of the most technically focused institutions, including the Leo Marchutz School of Art in Provence and Heatherleys Art School in London, where she won the ‘Best Artist Award’ for her exceptional portraiture. Always seeking new dimensions in her work, Barbara pursued a Master’s degree at the City and Guilds of London Art School, where she delved into complex themes surrounding human relationships, drawing on theories from Jacques Lacan to inform her approach.
Barbara’s paintings often capture intimate and sensual moments—whether it’s the tranquility of a sunset swim or the reflective solitude of reading on the underground. Her process merges personal photographs, film stills, and found images to create a delicate balance between reality and imagination. She revels in the unpredictability of the painting process, where “happy accidents” guide her compositions, inviting viewers to engage emotionally and project their own experiences onto her works.
Working primarily in oils on unique surfaces such as aluminium and antique linen, Barbara draws inspiration from artists like Gerhard Richter and Eric Fischl. Her ability to capture subtle, emotive gestures in her figures has led to a flourishing career, with notable exhibitions at galleries including Rebecca Hossack and Long & Ryle. Her work has also appeared in prestigious venues like the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and the British Art Fair.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Barbara contributed to the ‘Portraits for NHS Heroes’ initiative, painting over ten frontline workers in heartfelt tributes that were met with deep appreciation and national recognition, including a feature in The Economist. Beyond the gallery, her art has graced the covers of several books for Penguin Random House, including Roddy Doyle’s The Women Behind the Door and Coco Mellor’s Blue Sisters.
Barbara Hoogeweegen’s work is driven by a desire to connect with her audience on a deeply emotional level. Through vibrant colour and expressive form, her paintings evoke universal feelings of humanity, intimacy, and introspection, making each piece a powerful, sensory experience.
Video
Barbara Hoogeweegen talks about the explicit and implicit meaning to be found in our choice of facial expressions – a thought that lies at the heart of her series of paintings shown in the ‘Inevitable’ exhibition at Rebecca Hossack gallery.
The Bridgeman Studio
is Barbara Hoogeweegen's licensing partner:
Bridgeman Studio
17-19 Garway Road
London W2 4PH
Tel: +44(0)20 7727 4065
www.bridgemanstudio.com