Annam Butt

Professional Background

Annam Butt is a British-Pakistani figurative painter based in London. Her work is informed by a rigorous academic training combined with a deep interest in narrative, identity, and cultural history.

She trained at the London Fine Art Studio, one of the United Kingdom's leading independent ateliers dedicated to observational drawing and painting. Following her studies, she joined the faculty as a tutor, contributing to the next generation of artists through teaching and mentorship.

Her practice has been recognised through the award of the prestigious De Laszlo Foundation Scholarship, which she received in both 2018 and 2019. This scholarship supported her research into nineteenth-century Orientalist painting, prompting an ongoing investigation into representation, cultural exchange, and the ways in which identity has been constructed throughout art history.

Alongside her studio practice, Butt is co-founder of Big Turtle Studio, a London-based artistic community and educational platform dedicated to life drawing, painting, and the preservation of traditional artistic skills. Through both her teaching and professional practice, she remains committed to fostering a culture of craftsmanship, collaboration, and artistic excellence.

Her work has been exhibited throughout the United Kingdom and internationally, attracting collectors drawn to its combination of technical refinement, narrative richness, and contemporary relevance.

Selected Highlights

Education & Training:

Trained at London Fine Art Studio, London

Tutor at London Fine Art Studio

Awards & Scholarships:

De Laszlo Foundation Scholarship, 2018

De Laszlo Foundation Scholarship, 2019

Professional Practice:

Co-Founder, Big Turtle Studio

Artist Educator and Mentor

Independent Studio Practice, London

Areas of Research & Interest:

Figurative Painting

Narrative Realism

Identity and Cultural Heritage

Historical Representation

Traditional Painting Techniques

Sustainable Craftsmanship and Material Practice

Curatorial Perspective

Annam Butt's practice occupies a distinctive position within contemporary figurative painting. Combining traditional atelier training with a thoughtful exploration of identity, memory, and cultural narrative, her work bridges historical technique and contemporary relevance. Through a commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability, and slow making, she creates paintings that invite sustained engagement while contributing to ongoing conversations around representation and belonging.

Sustainability and Practice

Annam's commitment to sustainability is rooted in craftsmanship, longevity, and thoughtful material selection. Through traditional methods and a philosophy of slow making, her practice reflects a belief that artworks should be created to endure and be valued across generations.