Sheena Bulpitt, who works from her home studio in Upton Lea, secured second place for her piece A Certain Sense of Self in the annual contest run by international packing and delivery firm PACK & SEND.
The competition highlights emerging UK artists, with winners receiving £250 in vouchers to support the shipment of their work.
PACK & SEND operates a nationwide network specialising in the safe transport of fragile, large and valuable items, and works closely with galleries, collectors and professional art dealers.
Bulpitt creates figurative paintings inspired by human connection, drawing on form and expression to evoke a subconscious emotional response.
Her work is also influenced by memories of her childhood in South Africa, where she lived before moving to the UK in the early 2000s.
Marketing director Sam Whittaker said the company was “delighted” to recognise her work. He added that PACK & SEND, an approved service provider to LAPADA, regularly handles pieces by globally renowned artists, from Banksy to Warhol, and is committed to supporting emerging talent.
Bulpitt began painting in 2019 while recovering from a 2016 accident that left her housebound and suffering chronic nerve pain, FND and PTSD. She said the experience “completely changed” her life, leaving her unable to work or carry out daily activities.
She said: “The accident completely changed my life.
“I lost the ability to work, to leave the house, and to do nearly everything I had previously done.
“I really felt like I had lost myself after not finding solutions for my ongoing pain.
“Through painting I found new purpose. My work has helped me find my way back to myself.
“I still have pain, but it’s not what defines me.
“My art journey so far has been an adventure, an exploration of many styles and genres, each challenging myself and developing my skills.
“My current work explores identity and how we connect with others. Combining elements of abstraction with realism, I want my work to contribute to the world by creating opportunities for connection.
“So, I’m really pleased to have my artwork recognised in this way by PACK & SEND, which has worked with some of the most famous and respected fine artists in the world.”
More information about PACK & SEND’s work with artists is available at www.packsend.co.uk.
Sheena Bulpitt’s portfolio can be found at www.sheenabulpittfineartstudio.com.
