An artist who speaks

I am a contemporary artist whose work is held in private collections and shown in solo exhibitions. My practice includes painting and drawing, printing, photography, weaving, spinning, and sculpture. I have lived a creative life for many years.

Alongside this, I have worked with and inside organisations – as an entrepreneur, clothing designer, advertising creative, brand strategist, writer, and as a conference speaker on international stages.

Over time, these strands have begun to inform one another more naturally.

Today, I speak to audiences as an artist. I speak about what art does to us when we engage with it properly, how making and looking change our inner conditions, and why creativity is not a luxury but a human necessity.

Art did not simply influence my work. It quite possibly saved my life and fundamentally altered how I relate to the world.

Why this matters

Many people, and many organisations, are overstimulated yet also depleted. Much of our work is fast and efficient. Things function, targets are met, but people often feel strangely untouched by the work they are doing.

What art offers is not a solution or an improvement, but a different kind of encounter altogether.

When people slow down and spend time with images, objects, or materials, something subtle but noticeable happens: attention steadies, thinking loses some of its edge, and people often begin to feel more present in themselves again. People often notice the change before they have language to describe it. They feel it first, and only later try to put words to it.

What I speak about

My talks explore how experiencing art and making art affect perception, judgement, and emotional life. I draw on galleries, objects, images, and my own practice to reflect on why sustained looking matters, why making restores confidence, and what is lost when creativity is treated purely as a tool.

The intention is to create a different kind of experience from the usual conference talk – one that slows the pace and allows space rather than urging people forward.

They are very different from conventional business, conference, or motivational talks. I invite people to see art afresh, and to notice how it connects to their own emotional and intellectual lives, and to the work they do individually and together.

Formats

I speak at conferences and events, usually in 30–40 minute sessions.

I tend to show a small number of images and spend time with them. I don’t rush discussion or fill every gap with commentary, and I keep the pace slow enough for people to stay with what they’re seeing and thinking.

The aim is not to motivate people or teach new strategies, but to give them space to notice themselves more clearly in relation to their work – how they pay attention, what they value, and where their sense of agency actually sits. From that clearer vantage point, people often find they can return to their work with greater steadiness and intention, without being told what to do differently.

In addition to speaking, I also work with smaller groups in hands-on workshops where participants can make art rather than simply listen.

Who this is for

This work is intended for organisations and groups who recognise that burnout is not solved by efficiency alone, and that creativity requires depth as well as output.

It may be especially relevant at moments of transition, uncertainty, or creative exhaustion, where there is a need to slow down and pay closer attention.

Enquiries

If this feels like the right fit, I’m happy to talk. Contact me for an initial chat.

Previous clients say…

  • A fantastically enjoyable and informative session.

    Pure London

  • Excellent feedback - you were rated top speaker of the conference.

    Scottish Enterprise Textile Industry Conference

  • Stretched people’s thinking, and gave them something practical to take away and use immediately. And like the best of all presentations it left people hungry for more.

    Wales Management Council

  • A brilliant session!

    Comic Relief

  • Thank you!!! Many thanks for your great presentation at our event.

    Castrol

  • Thank you for a challenging presentation. It’s always difficult for academics to think ‘out of the box’ and be creative so the challenge was greatly welcomed.

    University of East Anglia

  • You’re a great storyteller and so well read that all your references and asides really engaged everyone.

    Norfolk Network

  • Simon is a rare breed – a genius and a superb communicator with an infectious enthusiasm for his subject matter.

    Maw Communications

  • A terrific talent for getting to the essence of something, and persevering to cut out all woolly thinking until you are left with the great aha moment.

    Aviva

  • His ideas have the potential to change your life.

    Bev James, The Millionaires' Mentor, author of Do It! or Ditch It

  • Whenever he speaks at one of our events he has the audience captivated and frantically taking notes. I’d highly recommend him.

    Kate Hills, Founder & CEO, Make It British

  • Stimulating, thought provoking and exciting, which combined with Simon’s enthusiasm, professionalism and engaging style, makes it a real winner!

    McCann Erickson

  • Very good feedback among our audience... ranking you as the best speaker of the event.

    Jacob Fleming Group

  • A wonderful presentation. All I heard all day were positive comments. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you Simon.

    Craghoppers

  • I can’t thank you enough for a wonderful event. I was buzzing with energy for ages.

    Thames Innovation Centre