5 April to 25 October 2026
For the first half of the 2026 season in the Gibson Room, the Fry Art Gallery is delighted to host for the first time local artist and illustrator Michelle Thompson MA (RCA), whose eye-catching collage work has been seen across national media and galleries, as well as at the Fry’s own November picture sale.
Michelle has been a freelance illustrator and collage artist since graduating with a First Class degree in Illustration from Norwich School of Art, followed by an MA at the Royal College of Art in 1996. Her work combines analogue collage with digital illustration, creating bold, layered pieces that explore texture, narrative, and found imagery. Clients include The Sunday Times, Financial Times, Channel 4, The New York Times, and The Guardian.
Papercuts presents a retrospective of Michelle’s three-decade career, showcasing original collage pieces alongside her printed illustration work. The exhibition traces her evolving approach, from early cut-and-paste experiments to contemporary digital compositions.
Born in Royston, Hertfordshire in 1972, Michelle has lived and worked in Saffron Walden for the past 24 years.
Michelle Thompson – Papercuts: 30 Years of Collage & Illustration runs from 5 April to 25 October in the Gibson Room.