Shona Inatimi explores reframing the black figure through painting, portraiture and connecting with the natural world. Shona paints to tell and illuminate stories of marginalised voices. Inspired by magical realism her paintings are set in imagined landscapes/worlds to refract tenebrous struggles we can face in our day-to-day lives. This process involves combining elements of photography, watercolour sketches, live & figurative drawing, then using oil paint techniques to combine and sculpt. A practice that is rooted in realism but imagines beyond.

Shona is a Nigerian-Scottish artist raised in Dundee, who’s practice creates space to highlight stories of black communities to uplift, feel seen and widen conversation. This space is embedded in radical care and nourishment. Shona’s personal experience of being mixed-raced in Scotland can place her as a bridge between worlds.

Currently residing in Glasgow. In 2024-25 Shona was one of two selected artists for Dòigh Nàdair residency programme organised by Rhubaba Artist Initiative, which culminated in a sophomore solo exhibition Earthing: Through Nature Back to Ourselves (March 2025) held at Johnstone Terrace Garden, Edinburgh. In 2023 she was one of six CULTIVATE Creative Practitioners nominated by Creative Dundee. Shona’s commission resulted in two portraits; a glimmer, a glimpse, a glare (2023) which formed part of the exhibition Dear Earth: Creating Hope in a Climate Crisis at Centrespace DCA Dundee, organised in partnership with fellow practitioners. In 2022 she had her debut solo exhibition where she showcased see you glow (2022) at Federation Gallery (Keiller Center Dundee). From 2016-2021 Shona studied at DJCAD (University of Dundee) graduating with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art.