Lisa Carter Grist (b; Cardiff 1972) lives and works in North Wales. She holds a bachelor degree in Theatre Design from Central Saint Martin’s (1995). Carter Grist’s work exists between memory, abstraction and figuration, she transforms what she sees and feels into visual forms that either hint at their origins or divert completely. Ideas and imagery are edited through a range of media and styles but ink works with a brush and monoprinting lie at the core of her practice, both of these techniques supporting spontaniety and the traces of what came before. Carter Grist’s subject matter is diverse incorporating the found, the figure, interiors, sea and landscape, literature, photo journalism and the theatre. Her language ranges from dense paintings to those with spare brushwork, from the use of the grid to calligraphic mark and expressive gestures. The installation of works and her sensitivity to site is integral, reinforcing the infinite possibilities available when we closely observe and encourage change and movement. Carter Grist often exhibits works from different times alongside one another juxtaposing new with older works.
‘In my works I am exploring the possibilities of time and transformation, the rich relationships between the artworks themselves, myself and the physical world.’
Lisa Carter Grist has received two Arts Council of Wales Awards and was nominated for the Eirian Llwyd Print Award in 2025. Her works have been exhibited in the National Eisteddfod of Wales, The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, Somerset House, Oriel Davies and Oriel Mostyn and are held in private collections world wide.
Commissions
2025 CELF Commission National Museums of Wales and Ruthin Craft Centre. Permanent Banner Installation in the grounds of Ruthin Craft Centre. ‘Quartet, Score, Slip, Stick and Smooth’ in response to the Betty Woodman’s work held in the National Collection.
2018 Artichoke PROCESSIONS National Touring Banner Commission.
2016 Connected Communites Programme and Dementia Research Project, Bangor University, UTOPIA, Somerset House, Drawing Installation, ‘An Eloquent Brain’.
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2024 FLOAT An Invitation Lisa Carter Grist invites Sarah Ryder, Catrin Menai, Oriel CARN. New Works, Oriel Ffin Y Parc,Wales. 2023, New Paintings, Oriel Plas Glyn Y Weddw, Wales. 2022 Works on Paper and Small Paintings, Oriel Davies, Wales. 2021 Booklungs, Scenes and Sketches, Safle Celf, Galeri Wales. LLAWN Festival @HAUS of Helfa, Tedder Carpet.
Selected Group Exhibitions
2025 Lido Open, Margate, 2024 Y Lle Celf, National Eistedffod of Wales. It Rose and It Fell, Terrace Gallery, London. A Room of One’s Own, Irving Gallery Oxford. 2022 Flirting With The Border Guards, Terrace Gallery, London. ASTONISH, Oriel Mostyn, 2020 BEEP Painting Prize, Elysium Gallery, Wales. 2019 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London. Y Lle Celf, National Eisteddfod of Wales. 2016 We’ve Got Mail, MOSTYN, Wales. 2015 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, London. 2014 A British Continuum, Lloyds Club, London
Upcoming
Selected for The Lido Open 2025, Lido Stores, Margate selected by Sophie von Hellermann and Kristen Healy. Running from 20th September to 18th October, opening reception 20th September.
November 2026, In conversation. Graham Sutherland and Lisa Carter Grist, an exhibition of paintings, drawing and prints responding to the landscape of Wales. National Contemporary art gallery for Wales, curated by Ann Fiona Jones with works selected by the artist.
‘Squall’ (middle left), Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.