Artist Statement

Fi Marks - an extraordinary Derbyshire artist 
Who speaks for the women whose stories were twisted over time to become unrecognisable? Fi Marks, an artist who lives and works in Belper, has made it her mission in life to be the visual voice for women, both real and fictional.
“I noticed from a very young age that the women in the stories I loved were turned into shrews or made into villains, when in so many cases they were the victims in the stories. Oftentimes, having to be cunning to be heard in a world of men,” Fi says. “As I’ve gone through life, it’s become increasingly important to me to be heard. I still have a voice, but these women do not.”
In researching her subjects, Fi looks for stories that catch her in the heart. From Ann Boleyn to Morgan Le Fay, Fi researches her subjects relentlessly.
“With a background in theatre and drama, not to mention living in Belper, Derbyshire an area with a history of textile manufacturing and strong women, I love to research not only their stories but the fabrics of the times as well. My women are surrounded by my interpretation of the patterns and symbols they would have had in their lives.”
Fi’s art stands alone as she has developed a unique style over the years, with every painting deceptively simple on the surface but incredibly complex on closer look.
“My art sells around the world because it’s so different,” Fi says. “No one else tells the stories, has the symbols, and is so passionate about righting the wrongs in history and literature like I am. I know my clients see themselves in my art, and are empowered by it. At the end of the day, that’s what matters.”