About
Image by: Marc Atkins
I am an artist, photographer, web designer and developer based in Bridport, Dorset.
My name is Françoise Atkins; my website and earlier creative work remain under the name Françoise Lacroix.
I studied at Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art and have worked across art, photography, publishing and web design.
My background in the visual arts informs both my own work and my approach to web design. I work particularly with artists, galleries, musicians and creative organisations, with an understanding of how important images, typography and the presentation of the work itself can be.
Alongside my web design work, I continue my own photographic and visual practice. My work explores the occupation and experience of place, transforming familiar spaces and questioning how our position changes our perception of them.
Background
Art & Photography
Born in West Wales, of French and English parentage, I now live in Bridport, Dorset, South West England. I studied at Central Saint Martins in London before completing a Master's degree in photography at the Royal College of Art.
During my time at the Royal College of Art, I was selected for a six week residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris.
Design & Publishing
My work has also included photography, publishing, book design and digital work. This combination of visual and technical experience led naturally into website design and development.
I now design, develop and maintain websites for artists, galleries, musicians and other creative individuals and organisations.
Exhibitions
I have exhibited in the UK and internationally, including exhibitions at The Clerk’s House, London (solo exhibition), the Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris, The Poznanski Factory, Poland, OXO Tower, London, Arnolfini, Bristol, The Dali Gallery, London, Lauderdale House, London, Jago Gallery, London and Lethaby Gallery, London.
Awards & Grants
I was awarded The Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers Prize for Photography in 2002, the King Sturge Art Prize in 1996 and the Falconer Award in 1996. I also received an Arts For Everyone Lottery Grant from the London Arts Board in 1997.
I was shortlisted for the Alternative Turner Prize in 2002, the Centre Prize in 2002 and The Observer Award in 2002.
Photography & Publishing
I co-founded panoptika.net in 2002, producing photography for major publishers worldwide. Examples can be seen in my commercial photography work.
I published Marc Atkins’ photography book The Teratologists in 1999 and co-edited, designed and published Loop, a book on East London artists, in 1998.
Web Design & Development
I design new websites and work with existing ones, providing development, maintenance, technical support, mobile optimisation, search engine optimisation and other ongoing digital support.