The Royal Society of Portrait Painters would like to extend a warm welcome to Miriam Escofet who has been elected a member of the society.
Miriam has exhibited every year at the RP annual exhibition since 2012 when her work ‘Anthony’ was selected. She describes the annual exhibition as a ‘highlight of the calendar’ and a ‘wonderful opportunity’ for artists across the world to come together and exhibit.
Miriam Escofet photographed by Aliona Adrianova (@alionaadrianova)
Born to artists in 1967, Miriam Escofet has lived and breathed art since childhood. A bit of an ‘all-rounder’ at school, Escofet horrified her teachers when at the last minute she decided to abandon physics in favour of art school. She chose to study 3D Design at Brighton School of Art, and eventually specialised in ceramics. It wasn’t until she left art school that she began to paint and was able to explore ‘more abstract and ambitious ideas’ this way. Looking at Escofet’s contemporary portraiture, it is easy to identify the importance of transdisciplinary activity in her work. Elements of 3D design creep into her painting; she constructs objects and maquettes that become props in her compositions. Skills and ideas from various media and sources of inspiration inform a final piece. This is, perhaps, why Escofet’s work sometimes contains a ‘slightly surreal edge’. For Escofet, portraiture was a product of many years exploring various themes and genres: from still life to architecture to imaginary compositions.
Miriam Escofet ‘Vanitas, Self’
Escofet’s work is a labour of love. She has her own time-consuming technique that utilises glazes to render minute detail. Each painting can take months to create and the finished effect is mesmerising. Escofet’s technique manages to capture an optical depth and rich light that possesses an almost ethereal quality.
Looking forward, Escofet is excited about her new RP membership and anticipates fresh opportunities to grow creatively. She is always keen to take on commissions as it pushes her work in different directions and allows her to explore new ideas.
We can’t wait to see what Miriam does next!
Watch Miriam speak about her career here:
Interview by Ellen Lachs
Article by Emmeline Downie
