Black and white photograph of Barns-Graham dressed in a dungarees stood in from of a painting of a shed on an easel. She hold several paintbrushes in her right hand

Wilhelmina Barns-Graham

An Introduction

Wilhelmina Barns-Graham was one of Britain’s most significant 20th century modern artists. Scottish born and a prominent member of the post-war St Ives group, she was a sublime painter, draughtswoman, printmaker and a brilliant colourist. Dividing her time between studios in St Ives and St Andrews she followed a consistent artistic vision throughout her sixty-five-year career.

Read More

End of the Glacier by Alyson Hallett

New Poetry Volume

Prize-winning poet, Alyson Hallett, has published a new volume of 27 poems with the Trust written in response to Barns-Graham’s glacier paintings. Now available to buy from our online shop.

Shop Now
Three paintings grouped on an orange background. From left to right: an oil painting of seaweed, rocks and a long snaking orange object on a white background; an acrylic painting of grey rocks with orange at centre; an oil painting of an abstracted geometric cliff edge resembling a face

The Online Collection

The Trust holds a significant collection of paintings, drawings and prints by Wilhelmina Barns-Graham. Over 400 works from the permanent collection are available to view online alongside a growing selection of the Trust’s archive materials and library books.

View The Collection

Latest from the Trust

Life Drawing and Drawing on Life: Barns-Graham on William Gillies

Some reminiscences of the artist, William Gillies, by Barns-Graham from her time as a student at Edinburgh College of Art

New Poetry Collection | End of the Glacier

Alyson Hallett has published 27 new poems with the Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust

Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Research Residency at British School at Rome

The Trust are delighted to announce support for a new artist residency in Rome

A selection of books and cards on a blue background

The Shop

The Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust offers a range of books, exhibition catalogues, cards and original screenprints. All proceeds go towards supporting the charitable work of the Trust.

Start Shopping
A screenprint with yellow background and wide diagonal brushstrokes in orange and blue and one red vertical brushstroke

Exhibition & Events

Opportunities to experience the life and work of Wilhelmina Barns-Graham in exhibitions and events hosted by the Trust and its partners.

View Events
An yellow oil painting divided into geometric sections with black lines and some sections in pale pink

Grants & Funding

The Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust supports a range of bursaries, grants and residencies to assist students and practicing artists at selected institutions.

Learn More
A yellow rectangular card with 'recent gouache and spanish drawings / W. Barns-Graham / The Scottish Gallery - 26 Castle Street, Edinburgh Private View, Saturday 2 July July 2-16' printed

Archive & Library

The Trust holds and makes available for a rich resource of papers and books created and owned by Barns-Graham

Learn More
A screenprint with yellow background and abstract composition of dark yellow strip, black egg, orange rectangle with black egg outline.

Works in Public Collections

Paintings and drawings by Wilhelmina Barns-Graham have been acquired by many public collections in the UK.

View Collections
Three paintings grouped on a salmon background. From left to right: an oil painting of two rounded edge squares in pale pink and orange on a white background; a gouache painting of loose vertical brushstrokes in black brown and red with a large white 'D' shaped brushstrokes; an acrylic painting of elongated triangles touching, all pointing towards centre of the right edge, in greys, pinks, black, white and yellow

About The Trust

The Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust was established by the Scottish artist Wilhelmina Barns-Graham in 1987.

Read Our Story