Betty Brown is an artist living and working in Durham in the north east of England.
She studied art at Chelsea and Camberwell and graduated with a B.A. from Camberwell in 1986.
Betty’s practice is rooted in observation and mark-making. Alongside drawing and painting she also works in textiles and has a longstanding interest in pattern and surface design.
Recent work has been concerned with the physical nature of the act of drawing. From 2012 – 2013 Betty worked with a number of dance companies across the north east. As well as making drawings from movement, she has been invited to lead workshops and has also made pieces for companies to use in their work. The companies Betty has been working with include:
c.i.n.e. (contact improvisation north east)
d.i.n.e. (dance improv north east)
Braena CIC
Bethany Peacock dance company
Anthony lo Giudice dance company
Tin Arts
Flex Arts dance company
Dance City, Newcastle
The Maltings Art Centre, Berwick
She is currently developing work made whilst in movement as well as making paintings and working on a body of large textile pieces.
Exhibitons include:
2013 Mushroom Works Spring Salon
2013 Tyne Museums Late Shows
2008 Darlington Art Centre “Kindling” solo exhibition
2003 Diorama Gallery Regents Park “Clubtastic” solo exhibition
2002 Madame Jojo’s Soho “Clubtastic” 2 – person show
1996 Eltham College, South London solo exhibition
1996 Durham Museum & Art Gallery solo exhibiton
1996 Marks & Spencer HQ
1995 South London Art Gallery open exhibition
1995 Catherine Grove Studios Greenwich open studios
1995 Greenwich Festival open studios
1994 Byam Shaw School of Art drawings by staff
1992 Whitechapel Open Studios: Paragon Studios, Southwark
1992 Whitechapel Gallery, Homerton Hospital solo exhibition
1991 Eagle Gallery, Farringdon Road group show
1991 London University, Queen Mary & Westfield College solo exhibition
1987 Royal Festival Hall Whatman print exhibition
1986 Cafe Gallery Southwark Park open exhibition
1986 Royal Festival Hall “Class of ’86”
1986 Somerset House Art Aid
Associated work:
2003 – 2005 Art tutor at Eastbourne College of Art & Technology
2000 Workshops in schools & museums in Peckham and across south London
1994 – 1997 Technician at Byam Shaw School of Art
1987 – 1988 mural work including a hoarding at Waterloo Underground Station
1986 Chris Chamberlain Memorial Prize awarded by Waldemar Januszczak
betty brown artist 
Hi Betty, I am researching former students of my grandfather and grandmother – Christopher/Chris/Chimp Chamberlain and Heather Copley. I am currently preparing a retrospective of their works – of which I have a vast collection and would like to connect with former students who can provide a personal perspective of their work and influence. I would love to hear from you if you were a student of my grandfather while he was at Camberwell.
Very best wishes
Esther Wilson
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Hi Esther,
Thank you for getting in touch. I am fascinated that you are Chimp’s granddaughter! I only met him once and didn’t meet Heather Copley. But Chimp was present at my interview for the B.A. at Camberwell. I remember him as rather intense and was impressed with the swiftness of his mind and the sharpness of his eye. When I started at Camberwell that autumn I believe he had already passed away. But he was held in extremely high regard.
You could try Rachel Levitas. Would you like me to ask her if you can contact her? We were at college together but while I did my foundation course at Chelsea she did hers at Camberwell and I think she had a great deal more experience of Chimp as a tutor.
All best wishes,
Betty.
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Dear Betty,
Would you be interested in coming to Portaferry Arts Society some Wednesday evening in 2020 giving us a talk and/or demo or workshop.
We really enjoyed the tour at the RUA and thank you very much for your time and craic.
Best wishes,
Kate Rebbeck
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