Tia O'Donnell
b. 1997 London, England
Lives and works in London.
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Tia O’Donnell is a multidisciplinary artist and illustrator whose work explores themes of memory, obsession, mental health, and personal mythology. Drawing on her own lived experiences, Tia creates intuitive, diaristic works that span painting, sculpture, performance, wearable pieces, and printed ephemera. Her practice is rooted in play, imperfection, and the catharsis of making often combining traditional materials with salvaged objects, childhood references, and handwritten text to evoke raw emotional landscapes.
A graduate of Central Saint Martins (2017–2022), O’Donnell has exhibited widely across London and Europe, including solo and group shows at Saatchi Gallery, Shoreditch Arts Club, and Reem Gallery. Her debut solo exhibition MIND FULLwas held at Colebrooke Row in 2020, and she was artist-in-residence at The Columbia Hotel in partnership with Roman Road Gallery the same year.
Known for her activism as much as her art, Tia made headlines after protesting her graduation ceremony with the now-infamous “I Want A Refund” banner sparking a national conversation about tuition fees and student rights during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tia's practice extends beyond the studio into collaborative work with sustainable designers and cultural platforms. She frequently incorporates nature and found objects from her time spent in Ardentinny, Scotland, transforming beachside debris into soulful sculptures and keepsakes. Her work has been featured by It's Nice That, Dazed, Fred Perry, Grazia, TMRW Magazine, and more.
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Solo Exhibitions
2020 - MIND FULL, Colebrooke Row, London
Select Group Exhibitions
2023 - Fraud degree, Shoreditch Arts Club, London
2022 - Women to watch, Reem Gallery, SOHO London
2021 - CITYSTATES, Club Row, London
2020 - The Edge, The Columbia Hotel & Roman Road, London
2019 - Girls Talk/Elle Magazine, Saatchi Gallery, London
2019 - Project 5-50-5, Joseph Froissart Gallery, Paris
2019 - Looking For Validation, Nayland Rock Hotel, Margate
2018 - Offline, Spike+Earl, London
2018 - Foundation, The Letherby Gallery, London
2017 - Sho-Ho, 100 Greek Street, London
2017 - SOMETHING TO HATE ON, Groucho Club, London
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Artist In Residency
JULY - SEPTEMBER 2020 The Columbia Hotel in partnership with Roman Road Gallery
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Press
"Tia guides us through her fascinating and engrossing childhood-inspired work, and discusses advocating for art as a source of strength."
https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/tia-odonnell-art-110621
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"Becoming Comfortable in the Uncomfortable: In Conversation with Tia O’Donnell"
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“Shining light on the deep and dark corners of the mind, we visited Tia O'Donnell's latest exhibition Mind Full.” TMRW Magazine
https://www.tmrwmagazine.com/features/culture/event-round-up-tia-odonnell
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Fred Perry X Record Store Day Tote bags. “‘Fred Perry Subculture Profile: Tia O'Donnell”
https://www.fredperry.com/subculture/articles/tia-odonnell
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"Why this UAL grad wants her tuition fees refunded"
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"Watch women in the arts"
https://www.theglassmagazine.com/watch-women-in-the-arts-and-keep-watching-at-sohos-reem-gallery/
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"Meet The Student Who Protested At Her Graduation Ceremony"
https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/real-life/university-refund-protest/
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"HOW CREATIVITY HELPS ME COPE, WITH TIA O’DONNELL"
https://www.thecalmzone.net/how-creativity-helps-me-cope-with-tia-odonnell
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