Barbara Hulme/ Abandoned

Barbara Hulme is a portrait painter whose practice focuses primarily on depicting people through portraits and life studies. Painting portraits since the mid-1990s, she has dedicated her work to capturing the individuality, emotions, and lived experiences of her subjects.

Much of Hulme's practice centers on portraying disabled people, creating works that celebrate their identity while amplifying their voices. Accompanying many of her portraits are personal stories written by the sitters themselves, reflecting her commitment to authenticity and allowing each individual to share their experiences in their own words. Through her work, Hulme explores the expressive power of portraiture, using painting as a means to foster empathy, visibility, and genuine human connection.