Art at the Park: 'Form' by Caitlin Grupping

The National Trust of Guernsey's Art at the Park Gallery is delighted to be hosting Caitlin Grupping's first solo art exhibition entitled 'Form'.

The exhibition runs from Tuesday the 9th of June until Friday the 3rd of July between 10am and 5pm daily. (Please be aware that the exhibition will close at 2pm on the final day.) The Gallery has free entry and is accessible friendly.

Caitlin Grupping is well known in the local art circles as the organiser of the 'drink and draw' life drawing club at the Golden Lion in St. Peter Port. She is an accomplished artist herself and has submitted paintings and drawings to a selection of mixed exhibitions. This is her first opportunity to display her own talent in linocut printing, oils and textiles. Mainly based around the human form, Caitlin's detailed patterns and simplified line forms show a masterful skill in expressing the life drawn figure. She also enjoys the strong use of colour in her work.

Caitlin had a love of art from a young age, however life took her in a different direction and it was only after getting her law degree and studying to become a chartered accountant that she found her way back to it. 

 Having been captivated by a life drawing exhibition in her youth, it wasn’t until her early twenties - more than a decade later - that she sought out her first class. Unfortunately, the session she found was run by the U3A and, being neither retired nor a pensioner, she was not eligible to become a member. Instead, she unexpectedly found herself in front of the easel - as the life model. What began as a one-off challenge, a personal and tentative step towards improving her relationship with her body, became something transformative, she returned to modelling again — and again.  

 After some time, Caitlin felt compelled to create something of her own: Drink & Draw was established in October of 2021 with a focus on wellbeing, community, and the hope that others who may have drifted away from art would find their way back. Moreover, to provide a safe and encouraging space for first time models.

Caitlin has recruited over 60 models, opened the doors to hundreds of artists, and seen her own life change for the better with the weekly sessions becoming her reason for being. Highlights include being nominated and shortlisted for the Pride of Guernsey, Arts Contribution award in 2024; curating a community exhibition in 2025 featuring 180 works from 65 artists; and establishing the annual summer social which sees a life drawing session hosted free of charge on Le Jaonnet Bay to joyfully celebrate the creativity community and our beautiful island. Also, in 2025, she left her career to pursue working in the arts full-time as a muse, facilitator, and artist in her own right.

 Caitlin is a passionate advocate of art - and particularly life drawing - as a powerful tool for improving and maintaining mental wellbeing. Through self-expression, body positivity, and as a source of community she believes art nurtures resilience and belonging. In her first solo exhibition ‘Form’ she presents a collation of figure studies in print, oil, textile, and more celebrating the strength, vulnerability, and beauty of the female form.