
Anne Bardsley is a wildlife artist based in Oldham, Greater Manchester. As an artist, she is known for her expressive portrayals of animals, especially endangered species.. Over the years, her work has been exhibited in galleries across the UK, including Manchester, London, Leeds, Bury, Lancaster, Shropshire, and most recently, Richmond.
Over the years, Anne has developed a distinctive style that blends mixed media, pop art, and oil portraiture. Her debut solo show, Wild Encounters (2023), and Wildlife Unleashed (2024) at The Pop Up in Stockport, marked key milestones in her artistic journey.
More recently, Anne has begun using her own reference photos, taken at local farms and conservation focused zoos. This personal approach deepens her connection to the subject matter and strengthens her commitment to wildlife advocacy. She regularly collaborates with local organisations to raise awareness about endangered animals.
As a result of her distinctive style, her paintings have earned national recognition, including a finalist spot in the Artists of the Year 2022 Award. Working from her home studio, Anne continues to explore new styles and materials. Through her art, she hopes to connect with animal lovers and highlight the urgent need to protect the natural world.
Artist Statement
Through my work, I aim to inspire a greater appreciation and respect for wildlife. I use my art to portray the personality and behaviour of animals, and invite the viewer to reflect on their own actions and feelings towards them. I experiment with different artistic styles and techniques, choosing the most suitable one to communicate a particular message.
I’l blend acrylics and soft pastels to create mixed media art that encapsulates the vitality and spirit of the animals I depict. Sometimes, I opt for a pop art approach, utilising bright colours and bold layouts that pulls focus on the subject matter. Alternatively, I concentrate on oils, employing a relaxed, painterly technique with a more textured finish. Although I use a variety of artistic approaches, my creative process remains consistent, driven by a passion for raising awareness of endangered species and the issues that threaten their existence.
Exhibitions
2025 – Group Exhibition, Association Of Animal Artists, The Station Richmond
2025 – Group Exhibition, Association Of Animal Artists, The Rose Paterson Art Gallery Shropshire
2024 – Solo Exhibition, The Pop Up, Stockport
2024 – Group Exhibition, The Oldham Open 2024, Gallery Oldham
2024 – Group Exhibition, Lancaster Art Fair, The Storey Lancaster
2023 – Group Exhibition, Open 2023, Bury Art Museum
2023 – Solo Exhibition, The Pop Up, Stockport
2022 – Group Exhibition, Buy Art Exhibition 2022, Aire Place Studio Leeds
2022 – Group Exhibition, The Oldham Open 2022, Gallery Oldham
2022 – Group Exhibition, Cheetah The Movie, Canon Place London
2022 – Juried Group Exhibition, Manchester Open Exhibition 2022, Home Gallery Manchester
Awards
2023 – Shortlisted, Zanna Fridge Awards, Zanna Art Magazine, for Minnie
2022 – Shortlisted, Zanna Fridge Awards, Zanna Art Magazine, for What Big Teeth You Have
2022 – Finalist, Artists Of The Year 2022, Supporting All Artists, for Pigeon Party & What Big Teeth You Have
2022 – Gone Bad Award Winner, Zanna Fridge Awards, Zanna Art Magazine, for Rainbow Raptor
2021 – Runner Up, Selected for the Conservation Collection, Sketch For Survival initiative for Fading Ailurus Fulgens
2021 – Shortlisted, Zanna Fridge Awards, Zanna Art Magazine, for Pride Cows
Commissions
2024 – March Of The Elephants & Wild In Art, “Cheesy Does It” , water based paints on carbon fibre elephant sculpture, Lichfield
2023 – Stockport Bid, “Spoke” , water based paints on carbon fibre frog sculpture, Stockport
2024 – Waddle Of Worcester & Wild In Art, “Starlit Journey” , water based paints on carbon fibre penguin sculpture, Worcester
Press
2024 – Alasdair Perry, “Merseyway’s Pop Up shop to be transformed into art exhibition this October”, Stockport Nub News, 30th September 2024
2024 – Community Repaint, “p-p-p-p-pick up a RePainted Penguin”, Community Repaint, 24th July 2024
2023 – Joe Yates, “Oldham artist has taken inspiration from Chester Zoo”, The Oldham Times, 25th October 2023
2023 – Gemma Carter, “Oldham artist’s debut exhibition inspired by animals”, Saddleworth Independent, 19th October 2023
More information on exhibitions and events can be found here.