Will Budgett (b. 1993, Oxfordshire, UK) is a sculptor whose practice explores the relationship between material, light and perception.The contrast between the weight and permanence of the physical sculpture and the fleeting nature of its shadow is central to his work. Rough, industrial structures are transformed by light into dancers, figures and moments of movement, creating an invisible choreography between matter and light.
His interest in movement and performance is particularly evident in his ongoing shadow-sculpture series, which has been presented at Bristol Light Festival 2026 and developed through collaborations with the worlds of ballet and performance. His work has been exhibited in association with Birmingham Royal Ballet, Sadler’s Wells and Northern Ballet, alongside commissions from institutions including the Royal Ballet School and St George’s Bristol.
Before moving into sculpture full-time in 2025, Budgett worked in design and advertising. This multidisciplinary background continues to inform his approach to composition, rhythm, visual storytelling and the relationship between an artwork and its audience.
Budgett was awarded the Lorenzo il Magnifico Prize for Sculpture at the Florence Biennale XV. His work has been exhibited internationally and across public, institutional and garden settings, and is held in private collections in the UK and internationally.
Selected Group Exhibitions
2026
Banqueting House, Royal Palaces, London, UK
Saddler's Wells, London, UK - alongside Northern Ballet
The Maiden of Venice, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham, UK
Sudeley Castle, Gloucester, UK
Welford Park, Oxfordshire, UK
V&A, Violet & Algy Ball, London, UK
Manchester Art Fair, Manchester, UK
TAP Galleries, Chelmsford, UK
Sick Childrens Trust, Mall Galleries, London, UK
Epsom Racecourse, London, UK
Art World Fair, Marbella, Spain
Art World Fair Paris, Paris, France
Affordable Art Fair, Hampstead Heath, London, UK
Arrival Gallery, London, UK
Art Surrey, Sandown Racecourse, UK
Fusion Art Fair, Harrogate, UK
Solo Exhibitions
2026
Thi Midnight Ballet, Bristol Light Festival, Bristol, UK
2025
Light Moves, Oxfordshire Museum Gardens, Woodstock, UK
Commissions & Awards
2025
Florence Biennale XV, Florence, Italy
London Biennale, London, UK
Art for Youth, The Mall Galleries, London, UK
Glow, RHS Rosemoor, Devon, UK
Oxfordshire Museum Gardens, Woodstock, UK
LiGHT25, London, UK
Inferential, Luminoir Gallery London, UK
Art Surrey, Epsom Downs Racecourse, UK
Light and Shadow, Fox Yard Studio, Suffolk, UK
Light, Birmingham Open Arts, Birmingham, UK
Monat Gallery, Madrid, Spain
Woman, A Gallerium Exhibition, USA
Mirage, London Glassblowing, London
People, Biafarin, Online, USA
Kirtlington Polo, UK
Winter, Signet Contemporary Art, Mayfair, London.
2026
Baird & Co, London, UK
St George's Bristol, Bristol, UK
Royal Ballet School, London, UK
2025
Lorenzo il Magnifico Award for Sculpture, Florence Biennale
Publications & Press
2024
Oxfordshire County Mag, December 2025
Artist Talk Magazine, Issue #103, July 2025
Mall Galleries, Art for Youth, The Mall, London
Signet Contemporary Art, Autumn, Mayfair, London.
Untitled Artist Fair, Chelsea Old Town Hall, London
RHS Glow, RHS Garden Rosemoore, North Devon
Motayo Gallery, Figures, Digital Experience
Holy Art Gallery, Future Stars, Hackney, London
LiGHT24, Islington, London
Artbox Expo, Basel, Switzerland
Kirtlington Mirror Houses, Oxford
2022
2016
Silks on the Silk Road, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
2014
Natural History Museum, London.
Excellence of youth, Suffolk, UK.
2013
Saatchi Gallery, London.
Excellence of youth, Suffolk, UK.
Recent News:
Will Budgett donates Giselle to the silent auction of The Violet & Algy Dinner to help raise funds for Children's Cancer Care at the Evelina London Children's Hospital.
Giselle shines in the foyer of the V&A
Chiaroscuro Gallery opens with a pop up event in Central London displaying 7 represented artists. Banksy, Sacha Jafri, Adee Phelan, Anthony Lister, Will Budgett, Keith Maiden, and Lhouette.
Élan, alongside an early work by Sacha Jafri.
The Northern Ballet takes Gentleman Jack to Saddlers Wells. The private viewing of this striking new ballet will be accompanied by a pair of Will Budgett's shadow dancers.
Kitri in the private viewing on the mezzanine of Saddlers Wells.
Set in the Birmingham Grand Hotel, Budgett displays several sculptures alongside Carlos Acosta's Maiden of Venice Fundraising Gala for his new performance, 'The Maiden of Venice'.
Rosie dances in the background of The Birmingham Grand Hotel Ballroom
Florence Biennale XV
Elan - (Pictured Right) is Awarded the 'Lorenzo Il Magnifico' 4th Prize at the Florence Biennale XV - click here to see more
Will Budgett is taking The Midnight Ballet to Bristol Light Festival as one of the seven installations of the Festival. Taking over Royal Fort Gardens, Will is displaying his largest collection of work to date in The University of Bristols central garden in February 2026.
Bristol Russian Ballet Dancers perform alongside Kitri.
Unveiling in 2026, Will is showing a pure gold sculpture commission at a Hatton Garden Gold Bullion Merchants.
Running from November '25 - January '26, Will's Un-Herd collection is on display around the Oxfordshire Museum gardens for the duration of winter, alongside Blenheim Palaces own winter light show.
Challenge, one of 5 sculptures exhibiting in the gardens.
