Nanci Byrne is a London-born painter whose work explores misdirection, movement and atmosphere through richly decorative, dreamlike compositions. Soft forms and ornate patterning often conceal a sense of unease, while surreal imagery, animal motifs and dark humour allow her to examine the relentlessness of womanhood and motherhood.

Originally trained in textile design, Byrne is particularly interested in the value placed on decorative art within a contemporary context. Her paintings draw on influences ranging from 17th-century tapestries and the Arts and Crafts movement to video games and literature, including A Room of One’s Own and The Yellow Wallpaper, creating layered worlds that balance beauty, tension and psychological complexity.