Part of the New Light Prize Exhibition 2020

Kevin Chester lives in Ulverston, Cumbria. He studied art and design at Lancaster and illustration at Manchester, receiving a degree in 1987. He has worked as an illustrator, glass art designer, life drawing and painting tutor, portrait painter and restorer. A significant period in his work occurred when he left the UK to live in Brazil.

Whilst in Brazil, Kevin painted society portraits, politicians, modern day saints and worked as a picture restorer. He studied the Afro-Brazilian culture of Salvador, where he lived, producing paintings based upon those studies. In 2001, he and his work appeared on local and national Brazilian TV. He resettled in Cumbria in 2003 and was awarded an Honourable Mention in the ARC'S International Open Salon in America for his painting 'Baiana de Itapua'.