Grace Clifford (Government Art Collection)
We’re celebrating the latest chapter of Art X-UK, our partnership with the Government Art Collection connecting regional talent with national collecting. Across 2025–26, works by Yorkshire and the Humber-based artists Grace Clifford, Kedisha Coakley, Sam Metz and Karanjit Panesar have been acquired for the Government Art Collection, meaning their art will now be represented in government buildings around the world. So we’re spotlighting each of the 4 artists selected from our region!
First up we have Grace Clifford (b.2000 Birmingham) who studied at Sheffield Hallam for her BA in Fine Art. Her practice is mainly in sculpture. Grace’s peice Bronze Pub Stool 2022 was acquired.
“The bronze pub stool became an unintentional monument, I made it in celebration of the pub, but ended up feeling more devoted to the process of making. ”
Can you tell us a bit about your practice as a visual artist?
My practice is mostly sculptural, supported by non hierarchical collections of stories, objects and ideas. I am often drawn to representations of value and inheritance.
Can you tell us about your work that has now been acquired in the Government Art Collection? And what does being a part of this collection mean to you?
The work acquired by the Government Art Collection is a bronze pub stool. Turning a factory made object into a bronze cast was serious work and devotion of time. The bronze pub stool became an unintentional monument, I made it in celebration of the pub, but ended up feeling more devoted to the process of making. The whole process really took a lot of people, from making the moulds to being supported in the acquisition. Having a bronze pub stool in the UK Government Art Collection makes me really proud.
Why do you create?
Because I have a very deep desire to make work, and labour intensively.
Do you consider yourself to be part of any artist networks/community, what are they and how do they impact your practice?
Yes, both formal and informal, networks are so valuable to your practice and wellbeing as an artist and general life.
What changes would you like to see in the wider arts sector?
Wider access to arts in state schools.
What are your future aspirations as a visual artist and have you got anything coming up you’d like to share?
I will be joining the Royal Academy programme in October 2026.
“ ...Both formal and informal, networks are so valuable to your practice and wellbeing as an artist and general life.”
See the new Government Art Collection acquisitions here!