CV & Bio
☸️ 🏳️🌈 🇬🇧🇵🇱
🧠 Neurodiverse
Born in 1988. Lives and works in Sheffield
Email: theresanbruno(at)gmail.com
Statement (download here)
I lead my practice through a Buddhist value system that often sits at odds with the dominant value structures of the contemporary art world. Leading with ethical integrity is a constant learning process, which feeds an approach which resists the pressures of productivity and popularity, instead prioritising care, attentiveness, and integrity as best practice.
I’m a British–Polish emerging artist based in Sheffield, who identifies as female, white, neurodivergent, queer, and working class. I work across sculpture, installation, craft, and digital media. I often begin with objects and images that circulate through everyday life — a superstore catalogue, junk food, an administrative form, an emoji — reworking these materials to examine how value, identity, and belief are constructed, opening up space for critique and empathy. I’m drawn to the tension between sincerity and irony — the point where something funny becomes serious, or where the throwaway becomes devotional. Through this shifting tone, I explore how contradictions coexist, questioning taste, accessibility, stereotypes etc.
My practice is grounded in care and attentiveness. I use modest materials and familiar references, making slowly and deliberately to reimagine the overlooked. I often use embodied labour, where repetitive acts become expressions of resistance and gratitude — gestures that reorganise value systems. These reconfigurations become quietly subversive objects and environments that ask what happens when the ordinary is treated as sacred, or when systems of authority are rendered absurd. Recent projects explore how working-class experience and religious faith coexist within a culture obsessed with consumption and superficiality.
My work is unapologetically rooted from my life experience. I translate personally intimate experiences into works of universality. At its core, my practice is about transformation — not only of materials, but of perception: how we might see the everyday differently, and find meaning in the things we’re told are meaningless. Community, care, and the politics of making are ongoing areas of interest the I regularly explore via posting about my practice on Instagram.
I lead my practice through a Buddhist value system that often sits at odds with the dominant value structures of the contemporary art world. Leading with ethical integrity is a constant learning process, which feeds an approach which resists the pressures of productivity and popularity, instead prioritising care, attentiveness, and integrity as best practice.
I’m a British–Polish emerging artist based in Sheffield, who identifies as female, white, neurodivergent, queer, and working class. I work across sculpture, installation, craft, and digital media. I often begin with objects and images that circulate through everyday life — a superstore catalogue, junk food, an administrative form, an emoji — reworking these materials to examine how value, identity, and belief are constructed, opening up space for critique and empathy. I’m drawn to the tension between sincerity and irony — the point where something funny becomes serious, or where the throwaway becomes devotional. Through this shifting tone, I explore how contradictions coexist, questioning taste, accessibility, stereotypes etc.
My practice is grounded in care and attentiveness. I use modest materials and familiar references, making slowly and deliberately to reimagine the overlooked. I often use embodied labour, where repetitive acts become expressions of resistance and gratitude — gestures that reorganise value systems. These reconfigurations become quietly subversive objects and environments that ask what happens when the ordinary is treated as sacred, or when systems of authority are rendered absurd. Recent projects explore how working-class experience and religious faith coexist within a culture obsessed with consumption and superficiality.
My work is unapologetically rooted from my life experience. I translate personally intimate experiences into works of universality. At its core, my practice is about transformation — not only of materials, but of perception: how we might see the everyday differently, and find meaning in the things we’re told are meaningless. Community, care, and the politics of making are ongoing areas of interest the I regularly explore via posting about my practice on Instagram.
Bio (download here)
Theresa Bruno (b. 1988, she/her) lives and works in Sheffield, where she is a studio holder at Yorkshire Artspace, Exchange Place. After graduating from Wimbledon College of Arts (2010), she lived and worked in Bournemouth, exhibiting locally and in London. She co-founded and co-curated SIX project space in Dorset (2013) before stepping back from practice in 2014 due to burnout. She relocated to Sheffield and after a six-year hiatus, resumed her practice in 2021 and was shortly awarded a two-year PLATFORM Residency at Site Gallery (2022–24)—one of few recipients without a Master’s degree. During this time, she rebuilt her practice from scratch, later exhibiting at Mimosa House, London (2024), and being shortlisted for New Contemporaries 2024. Currently, her practice is grounded in a care-centred approach whilst doing ongoing EMDR therapy. She is intentionally slowing down her practice—self-funding her work and prioritising wellbeing over conventional career progression.
Press & Publications
“Theresa points to ‘Fruit Bowl Painting’ (2010), a catalogue of fruit-related colour swatches. She made this while at Wimbledon College of Arts, back when she loved still life but had yet to find a way of connecting her ethical values to her work. It would take a seven-year break from art to figure that out. She binned all her materials during a period of disenchantment, she tells me, when balancing a practice alongside a full-time job resulted in total burnout. These days, she dedicates an area in her studio to resting and recharging – a philosophy which now informs her practice as a whole.” Orla Foster, Corridor8
Corridor8 - Exchange Place Studios: Inside Sheffield’s art laboratory - Studio interview - by Orla Foster
Maisie Bradley interview about Musée Imaginaire Made in Bed magazine - Emerging artists - Theresa Bruno
Stay Productive/Break the Surface - by Beth Hughes for Betwixt Freelands Foundation Publication
Platform 22: Theresa Bruno - Salena Barry write up for Site Gallery
Society of Explorers Interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS6X0pxVzN8
Now Then Magazine - Playing with space: Soundscapes and strange spaces with Platform 22
Exposed Magazine - Top Pick: Platform 22 is the multi-site exhibition showcasing five Sheffield-based artists
Our Fave Places - Platform 22 review - by Steven Allen
Our Fave Places - Meet the locals - Theresa Bruno
Testimonials
"Theresa’s work can be instantly relatable, drawing you in with familiar references to daily life such as financial forms and shopping catalogues, but as you look closer stereotypes are challenged and tropes start to unravel. Her work can be colourful and humorous, but it still maintains some ambivalence, some slipperiness. This relates to Theresa’s own overlapping identities, and as you understand more about her, you see that the work is strikingly authentic.
Theresa understands that nothing happens in a vacuum, and on the Platform residency was an avid community maker, being open to discussing her work with others and showing support to her peers. She seeks to continue to grow this community and invites new connections investing in valuable existing relationships."
Robyn Haddon, Producer, Site Gallery Sheffield
“I have worked closely with Theresa Bruno over the last two years as the curator of the Freelands Artist Programme of which she was part of. Theresa was a joy to work with. She is enthusiastic, warm, and reliable. Her artistic practice is deeply personal yet evokes important and often universal themes that touches to the core of what it means to hold our identities and value in today’s society. I have learnt so much from our conversations and am proud to have been part of her journey.”
Wingshan Smith, Artist Development Curator at Freelands Foundation
“Getting lost in conversation with Theresa leads to a multidimensional discussion touching on working-class culture, spirituality and faith, the purpose of art, humanity and really any factor that helps us understand ourselves and our place in the world. To see her depth of thought reflected in her art in a way that invites you in but gives you space to follow your own instincts gives great authenticity to her work and I am excited to follow where her artistic practice will lead.”
Beth Hughes, Curator
“Connection with people is clearly important to Theresa...the importance of being part of a community has certainly evidenced this since her joining Yorkshire Artspace....Theresa regularly takes part in our monthly crit groups, where she provides notably valuable insight...Theresa is well-organised and respects deadlines. She is ambitious and confident about her point of view. She is committed to sharing parts of herself and making space for unheard voices. Working with Theresa both necessitates and facilitates mutually supportive relationships of care and commitment, that we know from experience can bloom into powerful work that people can connect to.”
Georgina Kettlewell Director, Yorkshire Artspace. (download full testimonial here)
Theresa Bruno (b. 1988, she/her) lives and works in Sheffield, where she is a studio holder at Yorkshire Artspace, Exchange Place. After graduating from Wimbledon College of Arts (2010), she lived and worked in Bournemouth, exhibiting locally and in London. She co-founded and co-curated SIX project space in Dorset (2013) before stepping back from practice in 2014 due to burnout. She relocated to Sheffield and after a six-year hiatus, resumed her practice in 2021 and was shortly awarded a two-year PLATFORM Residency at Site Gallery (2022–24)—one of few recipients without a Master’s degree. During this time, she rebuilt her practice from scratch, later exhibiting at Mimosa House, London (2024), and being shortlisted for New Contemporaries 2024. Currently, her practice is grounded in a care-centred approach whilst doing ongoing EMDR therapy. She is intentionally slowing down her practice—self-funding her work and prioritising wellbeing over conventional career progression.
Press & Publications
“Theresa points to ‘Fruit Bowl Painting’ (2010), a catalogue of fruit-related colour swatches. She made this while at Wimbledon College of Arts, back when she loved still life but had yet to find a way of connecting her ethical values to her work. It would take a seven-year break from art to figure that out. She binned all her materials during a period of disenchantment, she tells me, when balancing a practice alongside a full-time job resulted in total burnout. These days, she dedicates an area in her studio to resting and recharging – a philosophy which now informs her practice as a whole.” Orla Foster, Corridor8
Corridor8 - Exchange Place Studios: Inside Sheffield’s art laboratory - Studio interview - by Orla Foster
Maisie Bradley interview about Musée Imaginaire Made in Bed magazine - Emerging artists - Theresa Bruno
Stay Productive/Break the Surface - by Beth Hughes for Betwixt Freelands Foundation Publication
Platform 22: Theresa Bruno - Salena Barry write up for Site Gallery
Society of Explorers Interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS6X0pxVzN8
Now Then Magazine - Playing with space: Soundscapes and strange spaces with Platform 22
Exposed Magazine - Top Pick: Platform 22 is the multi-site exhibition showcasing five Sheffield-based artists
Our Fave Places - Platform 22 review - by Steven Allen
Our Fave Places - Meet the locals - Theresa Bruno
Testimonials
"Theresa’s work can be instantly relatable, drawing you in with familiar references to daily life such as financial forms and shopping catalogues, but as you look closer stereotypes are challenged and tropes start to unravel. Her work can be colourful and humorous, but it still maintains some ambivalence, some slipperiness. This relates to Theresa’s own overlapping identities, and as you understand more about her, you see that the work is strikingly authentic.
Theresa understands that nothing happens in a vacuum, and on the Platform residency was an avid community maker, being open to discussing her work with others and showing support to her peers. She seeks to continue to grow this community and invites new connections investing in valuable existing relationships."
Robyn Haddon, Producer, Site Gallery Sheffield
“I have worked closely with Theresa Bruno over the last two years as the curator of the Freelands Artist Programme of which she was part of. Theresa was a joy to work with. She is enthusiastic, warm, and reliable. Her artistic practice is deeply personal yet evokes important and often universal themes that touches to the core of what it means to hold our identities and value in today’s society. I have learnt so much from our conversations and am proud to have been part of her journey.”
Wingshan Smith, Artist Development Curator at Freelands Foundation
“Getting lost in conversation with Theresa leads to a multidimensional discussion touching on working-class culture, spirituality and faith, the purpose of art, humanity and really any factor that helps us understand ourselves and our place in the world. To see her depth of thought reflected in her art in a way that invites you in but gives you space to follow your own instincts gives great authenticity to her work and I am excited to follow where her artistic practice will lead.”
Beth Hughes, Curator
“Connection with people is clearly important to Theresa...the importance of being part of a community has certainly evidenced this since her joining Yorkshire Artspace....Theresa regularly takes part in our monthly crit groups, where she provides notably valuable insight...Theresa is well-organised and respects deadlines. She is ambitious and confident about her point of view. She is committed to sharing parts of herself and making space for unheard voices. Working with Theresa both necessitates and facilitates mutually supportive relationships of care and commitment, that we know from experience can bloom into powerful work that people can connect to.”
Georgina Kettlewell Director, Yorkshire Artspace. (download full testimonial here)
CV (download here). `
Education
Ongoing - Ceri Hand Membership
2024 – Ceri Hand - Unlock your artworld network
2024 – Ceri Hand – How to price and sell your work
2023 – 2024 – Freelands Foundation Artist Support Programme
2007 – 2010 BA (Hons) Fine Art, Wimbledon College of Arts, University of the Arts London
2004 – 2007 BTEC National Diploma + Foundation (Fine Art), The Arts Institute Bournemouth
Solo Exhibitions
2023 - Gargantua - Yorkshire Art Space Persistance Works
2014 - WUNDERKAMMER - SIX project space, Bournemouth
2013 - Chromopedia - SIX project space, Bournemouth
Selected Group Exhibitions (and projects)
2025 - Autumn Almanac V @ Persistence Works, Yorkshire Art Space, curated by Sean Williams
2024 - Autumn Almanac IV @ Persistence Works, Yorkshire Art Space, curated by Sean Williams
2024 - Held, Mimosa House Gallery, London, curated by Wingshan Smith
2023 -Autumn Almanac III @ Persistence Works, Yorkshire Art Space, curated by Sean Williams
2021 - When was the last time you saw the sea?, Youkobo Art Space, Tokyo, Japan
2021 - 12o collective - 30/30 2021
2014/15 - Art at TMF Group , TMF Group, Chancery Lane, London
2014 - Home is where the ART is, SIX, Bournemouth
2013 – Colour – collaborative drawing - SIX project space, Bournemouth
2013 - Synaesthesia - LUSH Cosmetics, Kings Road, London
2012 - Reframing Bournemouth, Bournemouth Arts Festival, Bournemouth
2012 – The Artist, Hatchspace, Deptford, London
2012 – Tryouts, Down Stairs, Great Brampton House, Hereford
2012 – The Apocralypse – It looked like a theatre – Punctuation Programme, Limoncello, London
2012 – AGORA – Brick Box, Tooting Market, London
2010 – Wimbledon Degree Show, WCA, London
2010 - Ishihara, Queen of Hoxton, London
2010 – Taking a line for a Walk, WCA, Curated by Soraya Rodriguez, London
2009 – Bare Art - Vyner Street Gallery, London
2008 - Ishihara, Sixty Million Postcards, Bournemouth
Residencies
2024 - NS-SEC 7 Routine - DIY drawing residency at Yorkshire Art Space, Exchange Place.
2022-2023 - PLATFORM - Site Gallery, Sheffield, funded by Freelands Foundation
Commissions & Prizes & Collectives
2024 - New Contemporaries (Shortlisted but not selected for final show)
2013 - Joined Hollow Earth Collective, London
2012 – Mockism Commission – She Couldn’t Have Attended Anyway – Neue Froth Kunsthalle, Brighton
2011 – JWT Commission – Art Prize 2nd prize, JWT Office, Knightsbridge, London
2008 – Cannizaro House WCA Summer Commission, London
Selected Curated projects
2014 - Elizabeth Wright - White Dot - SIX project space, Bournemouth
2014 - Giorgio Sadotti - Sing to Remember - SIX project space, Bournemouth
2013 - Richard Paul - Sea of Green - (The Enunciation of Images) - SIX project space, Bournemouth
2013 - David Evans - The Art of Walking - a field guide - SIX project space, Bournemouth
Internships & Volunteering
2024 – St Mary’s Church Walkley - Well dressing
2020/21 – Site Gallery - Sheffield
2020 – Nicole White Murals - Sheffield
2012 – SUNDAY – Baz & Chaz, Chez Baz & Chez Chaz, London
2010 – Jerwood Drawing Prize, London
2009 –Affordable Art Fair, London
2009 – Nettie Horn, London
2008 – John Jones art handling course, London
2008 – Omni Colour, London
2008 – ZOO art fair, London
Education
Ongoing - Ceri Hand Membership
2024 – Ceri Hand - Unlock your artworld network
2024 – Ceri Hand – How to price and sell your work
2023 – 2024 – Freelands Foundation Artist Support Programme
2007 – 2010 BA (Hons) Fine Art, Wimbledon College of Arts, University of the Arts London
2004 – 2007 BTEC National Diploma + Foundation (Fine Art), The Arts Institute Bournemouth
Solo Exhibitions
2023 - Gargantua - Yorkshire Art Space Persistance Works
2014 - WUNDERKAMMER - SIX project space, Bournemouth
2013 - Chromopedia - SIX project space, Bournemouth
Selected Group Exhibitions (and projects)
2025 - Autumn Almanac V @ Persistence Works, Yorkshire Art Space, curated by Sean Williams
2024 - Autumn Almanac IV @ Persistence Works, Yorkshire Art Space, curated by Sean Williams
2024 - Held, Mimosa House Gallery, London, curated by Wingshan Smith
2023 -Autumn Almanac III @ Persistence Works, Yorkshire Art Space, curated by Sean Williams
2021 - When was the last time you saw the sea?, Youkobo Art Space, Tokyo, Japan
2021 - 12o collective - 30/30 2021
2014/15 - Art at TMF Group , TMF Group, Chancery Lane, London
2014 - Home is where the ART is, SIX, Bournemouth
2013 – Colour – collaborative drawing - SIX project space, Bournemouth
2013 - Synaesthesia - LUSH Cosmetics, Kings Road, London
2012 - Reframing Bournemouth, Bournemouth Arts Festival, Bournemouth
2012 – The Artist, Hatchspace, Deptford, London
2012 – Tryouts, Down Stairs, Great Brampton House, Hereford
2012 – The Apocralypse – It looked like a theatre – Punctuation Programme, Limoncello, London
2012 – AGORA – Brick Box, Tooting Market, London
2010 – Wimbledon Degree Show, WCA, London
2010 - Ishihara, Queen of Hoxton, London
2010 – Taking a line for a Walk, WCA, Curated by Soraya Rodriguez, London
2009 – Bare Art - Vyner Street Gallery, London
2008 - Ishihara, Sixty Million Postcards, Bournemouth
Residencies
2024 - NS-SEC 7 Routine - DIY drawing residency at Yorkshire Art Space, Exchange Place.
2022-2023 - PLATFORM - Site Gallery, Sheffield, funded by Freelands Foundation
Commissions & Prizes & Collectives
2024 - New Contemporaries (Shortlisted but not selected for final show)
2013 - Joined Hollow Earth Collective, London
2012 – Mockism Commission – She Couldn’t Have Attended Anyway – Neue Froth Kunsthalle, Brighton
2011 – JWT Commission – Art Prize 2nd prize, JWT Office, Knightsbridge, London
2008 – Cannizaro House WCA Summer Commission, London
Selected Curated projects
2014 - Elizabeth Wright - White Dot - SIX project space, Bournemouth
2014 - Giorgio Sadotti - Sing to Remember - SIX project space, Bournemouth
2013 - Richard Paul - Sea of Green - (The Enunciation of Images) - SIX project space, Bournemouth
2013 - David Evans - The Art of Walking - a field guide - SIX project space, Bournemouth
Internships & Volunteering
2024 – St Mary’s Church Walkley - Well dressing
2020/21 – Site Gallery - Sheffield
2020 – Nicole White Murals - Sheffield
2012 – SUNDAY – Baz & Chaz, Chez Baz & Chez Chaz, London
2010 – Jerwood Drawing Prize, London
2009 –Affordable Art Fair, London
2009 – Nettie Horn, London
2008 – John Jones art handling course, London
2008 – Omni Colour, London
2008 – ZOO art fair, London