STEPHEN APPLEBY-BARR
Canadian painter based in London
Stephen Appleby-Barr, approaches painting as storytelling. Wandering through museums and city streets, he searches for characters and settings to weave into his cinematic, otherworldly universe. His dark, intimate scenes, rich colour palettes, and dramatic lighting recall the timeless influence of Baroque masters such as Caravaggio.
His work has been exhibited and collected across Canada, the United States and Europe, with four solo shows at Robilant+Voena in London, Paris and Milan.
AN HYDRA STUDY
Artist Residency in October 2025 with exhibitions continuing through November
Hotel Hydroussa | October-November 2025
A devoted animal lover, Stephen came to Hydra last October for a nine-day residency and studio exhibition inspired by the island’s beloved cats. During his residency, he created seven remarkable new works celebrating cats and nature, including “Lilycat,” affectionately described as “the Mona Lisa of ArtCinema.”
This exhibition is dedicated to supporting Hydra’s much-needed veterinary clinic, continuing ArtCinema’s commitment to both art and animal welfare on the island. Since then, Stephen has been based in London following a successful Frieze exhibition and a series of commissions.
Lilycat - “The Mona Lisa of ArtCinema”
Stephen's locally inspired masterpiece
“Seeing Stephen’s work had a profound effect on me. I began to truly understand the power of oil painting because he captured the essence of Lilycat, something I loved so dearly - the port cat I rescued two years ago.”
- Amanda Palmer, Founder of ArtCinema
Stephen dedicates the proceeds from his work with ArtCinema to raising funds for Hydra’s much-needed veterinary clinic, continuing our commitment to both art and our co-existance with animals on the island.
If you’d like to purchase one of Stephen's works or commission a new piece, both can be structured as a tax-deductible donation, please contact airinie@artcinemahydra.com
COMMUNITY DRAW SALON
Stephen Appleby-Barr led an “Observational Drawing Salon” - bringing together artists, patrons, and the local community.
Compassionate Artist Returns To Hydra | June 2026
Stephen hosted what he called an "Observational Drawing Salon" - a space designed to welcome participants of all levels of drawing experience. The salon focused on simple observational exercises, fostering a de-programmed creative environment and a relaxed hang-out that lowers pressure and expectations. At the same time, it honoured Hydra's living culture, celebrating both the island's resident artists and its visiting creatives.
The format was simple: participants would meet for an observational exercise and then spend time looking at one another's results. At the close of each session, drawings were laid out for everyone to see. As Stephen notes, "a lot of people are only willing to show 10%," and in that is "something both vulnerable and exciting".
In his words, the salon was about "making bad coffee and drawing together and laughing about how none of us are as good at drawing as we want to be." Proposing community over perfection.