Dr. Sheona Beaumont (b.1979) is an artist and writer whose photographic work explores religious traditions and beliefs. Connected to her family’s work in the Church of England both in the UK and East Africa, her photographs and publications focus on the visual theology of community, landscape, motherhood and the Bible.

Sheona has held artist residencies in a variety of ecumenical settings: with Churches Together on Dartmoor (Devon, and Exeter Cathedral), at Trinity College Bristol, and as Photographer in Residence at St Cyriac’s Church (Wiltshire). She writes for journals, photobooks, and academic publications exploring the relationship between theology and the arts. As Bishop Otter Scholar (Diocese of Chichester, 2017-2020), she combined her creative and scholarly interests through a cathedral exhibition, photographic commission, and conference publications, following her doctoral studies on the theology of photography at the University of Gloucestershire (supported by Bible Society).

Sheona is the Artist in Residence for the Athelstan Pilgrim Way, a Visiting Research Fellow at King’s College London, and a Montgomery Lecturer. She lives in Wiltshire with her husband and two children.



CURRENT:


Artist in Residence launch event:
5th April 2.30pm
St Peter& St Paul, Great Somerford SN15 5HZ. A speaker and exhibition event for the Athelstan Pilgrim Way. Featuring Martin Palmer, the Malmesbury Choir, and introducing Sheona and her work. Tickets £15 for adults, £5 children, available from the Athelstan1100 website.

COMING OUT IN PAPERBACK Autumn 2025: The Bible in Photography (Bloomsbury). The story of images which portray biblical subjects, from landscapes of the Holy Land to portraits of Jesus by David LaChapelle. Plus a four-stop journey through the theology and theory of photographic realism: index, icon, tableau, and vision.

To hear the latest news from Sheona, including exhibition invitations and publication discounts, sign up to her monthly newsletter:
* indicates required

PREVIOUS:


Positions held
2019-2021 Photographer in Residence, St Cyriac’s Church, Lacock, Wiltshire
2017-2020 Bishop Otter Scholar, Diocese of Chichester
2014-2015 Artist in Residence, Trinity College, Bristol
2003-2004 Artist in Residence, Princetown, Devon
   
Selected exhibitions
2021 Spotlight On: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Collection of Chippenham Museum, Chippenham Museum, Wiltshire
2019 Scriptorium, The Bishop’s Palace, Chichester, West Sussex
2018 Where is God in our 21st Century World?, Chaiya Art Awards, gallery@oxo, London
2014 Standing Room Only, Bristol Cathedral, Bristol
2014 Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy, London
2013 Stewards of the Earth, Sarum College, Salisbury
2012 RGB Awards, The Grant Bradley Gallery, Bristol
2012 Elemental, Glenfall House, Cheltenham; Colston Hall, Bristol
2011 Faith in the City, Red Gallery, Shoreditch, London
2011 Open Photography 2, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol
2010 Bristol Through the Lens, The Photo Gallery and The New Room, Bristol, part of the Bristol Festival of Photography
   
Selected speaking engagements
2024 The Bible in Contemporary Britain Conference, British Sociological Association with Bible Society, King’s College London
2024 Society for the Study of Theology Conference, Warwick University
2023 The Psalms in Ministry, Ministry Conference for the Diocese of Bristol, Bristol
2022 European Association of Biblical Studies Conference, Toulouse (online)
2021 Art and Religion Forum, Goldsmiths University of London (online)
2021 Tyndale Fellowship Conference, Oak Hill College, London
2020 The Centre for Reception History of the Bible, University of Oxford
2018 Visual Theology Conference, Diocese of Chichester, Chichester
2016 Art & Theology Conference, Ripon College with Art+Christianity, Cuddesdon