About
Poppy Critchlow (b. 2001) is a painter from London.
Critchlow’s work is driven by a fascination with people, self-expression and the idiosyncrasies of everyday life. Drawn to the humour and quiet absurdities of ordinary moments, she works from life where possible, using portraiture to uncover what is often left unspoken: anxious hands, glassy stares and knees that want to bounce.
Recent works explore the double portrait as a study of interpersonal tension, intimacy and the subtle dynamics of being seen and observed.
Working primarily in oil, Critchlow builds her paintings from initial sketches, combining loose gestures with precise line, ghostly impasto and fluid underpainting. Heightened colour palettes and clashing patterns create a tension between familiarity and unease.
Critchlow completed an MA in Painting at the Royal College of Art in 2025. Recent exhibitions include a presentation at the Saatchi Gallery, and she will undertake a residency at 9 Lower Mall later this year.