Photo by Kaleidoshoots
k Shields (any pronouns) is an Autistic, Disabled artist living and working on the UK South Coast.
Through my work I aim to translate the lived experience of Disability and chronic illness using digital/physical imaging and the building of mixed media worlds that express the desire to survive, process and move forward.
Since COVID-19, this desire has fluctuated between non-existent and overwhelming, leading my practice to increasingly reflect my experiences as a disabled, queer person. I now focus on making my work more sustainable, collaborative, and healing during divisive and challenging times.
Since 2020, I have undertaken five research residencies, including the Heima queer residency in Seyðisfjörður, Iceland, and University of Sussex, where I developed my digital practice alongside works informed by disability. In 2023, Arts Council funding enabled me to learn new digital skills, receive mentorship, and dedicate time in the studio to developing fresh ideas.
Recent exhibitions and residencies include: HEIMA Queer Residency, Seyðisfjörður, Iceland. (2025) ‘Ritual’, group exhibition. In a Land, Hebden Bridge. UK (2025) ‘Future stones’: a Making Space residency at Fabrica Gallery, Brighton. UK. (2025) ‘FOLKLORE’ group show at Marine studios, Newhaven, UK (2025) organsongs. Hove Museum of Creativity, August (2024) GUTS (The Enchanted Forest), Lighthouse, Brighton (2022), Artist in Residence at Sussex University, Digital Humanities Lab (2022), TOMTech Residency at Hove Old Market (2022), GUTS Gallery Lock In, Brighton (2021), Body/Nobody group exhibition with NewGrounds collective, online + physical exhibition (2020), LOOP Gallery Lock In, Brighton (Brighton Digital Festival 2019).
I am a co-founder of Artists, Models, iNK which is a collective of life models creating model-led art happenings & life drawing events with a twist. Events use poses, performance and music for an immersive environment that encourages creative flow for those drawing, whilst foregrounding the connection between artist and life model.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS/RESIDENCIES:
2026
IMTwentyOne Exhibition + Online auction, London, UK.
2025
HEIMA Queer Residency and group exhibition, Seyðisfjörður, Iceland.
‘Ritual’, group exhibition. In a Land, Hebden Bridge. UK
‘Home Bodies’, group exhibition. Unit2 St, Leonards-on-Sea. UK
‘a world in a sauna’: residency at YoYo Yard Sauna, Brighton. UK
‘Future stones’: a Making Space residency at Fabrica Gallery, Brighton. UK
‘FOLKLORE’ group show at Marine studios, Newhaven, UK
2024
organsongs. Hove Museum of Creativity, August 2024
2022
End of residency exhibition. GUTS (The Enchanted Forest). Lighthouse, Brighton 2-4 Sept 2022
Artist in Residence at Sussex University, Digital Humanities Lab. April-June 2022
TOMTech Residency at Hove Old Market. Feb 2022
'GUTS' Galley Lock In, Brighton Oct 2021
'Body/Nobody' group exhibition with NewGrounds collective. Online + physical exhibition. Dec 2020
'LOOP' Gallery Lock In, Brighton. October 2019
FreeRange Truman Brewery, London. Group degree show. July 2019
Northbrook MET degree group show. May 2019
'Death + Rebirth', PopUp Gallery, Brighton. March 2018
'OBJECTS', Brush Gallery, Brighton. Feb 2017
FILM SCREENINGS:
‘a world in a sauna’ at Flat Earth Film Festival, Seyðisfjörður, Iceland. October 2025
'Balancing feathers on my fingers.' Translucent @ VO Curations, London. Aug 2019
SELECTED PERFORMANCES/COLLABORATIONS
Live musician for ‘No Apologies’ by Emma Frankland at Attenborough Centre, Falmer and Edinburgh Fringe 2025.
Regular life drawing performances at Fabrica Gallery, Brighton, with Artists, Models, iNK. 2019 - 2023
'The Safety Map': Ongoing LGBTQ map project documenting safety in the city. Exhibited at Marlborough Theatre, Trans Pride Brighton Dome and Fabrica. Collaboration with Abby Butcher and Rosana Cade, continued by Queer In Brighton. 2016 - present
'Artists, Models, iNK' Life model, co-Director and founder with collective of life models. Various performances/events based around life drawing. 2011-present
SELECTED PRINT
'Extraordinary Acts' zine by Emma Frankland. Contributor, Feb 2020
Fabrica 'Response' magazine (various)