Courtyard Arts Gallery

22 September – 17 October, 2026

RISING ROOTED – CLAIRE CAREY & KELLIE AHL

As Hertford based artists, Claire and Kellie share a long-standing friendship and are both rooted in the local community. This is their first joint-exhibition.

Claire is an abstract artist, drawn to colour and textures. Inspired by wild meadows, natural stone, faded petals, as well as crocheted blankets and vintage textiles, Claire draws from the colour field artists of the 1950s and 1960s. Her work reflects the emotive nature of colour and texture, with gestural marks, applied and implied textures, layers upon layers; all creating a playful narrative for the reader.

Kellie Ahl is an expressive energy artist whose paintings move between abstract and landscape, exploring the relationship between the inner and outer worlds. Inspired by emotion, spirit, nature and the energy of place, Kellie works intuitively with colour, movement, texture and gesture, allowing each painting to unfold organically. Her work explores the unseen qualities of a moment, place or feeling, transforming them into contemporary, soul-led artworks that invite the viewer to pause, feel and connect.