In conversation with Holly Shires ahead of ‘Art Mail’ at Saatchi Gallery

"Works from opposite end of the world end up next to each other; a London pigeon next to a Galapagos Island tortoise, and a first-time artist next to a turner prize nominee."

 - Holly Shires

Holly Shires, pictured at Saatchi Gallery

Since April this year, British art brand Winsor & Newton has been inviting artists around the world to take part in the Art Mail global initiative, celebrating creativity, connection and community through the simple act of sending a postcard. Those of all levels of experience were encouraged to share the world from their point of view, from famous artists to those trying watercolour for the very first time. Over 6000 postcards were sent in, painted by artists based in more than 40 countries – unveiling a collective snapshot of creativity from across the world, with every single one featured in an online gallery. Presented together, the postcards show how people across different places and backgrounds see the world around them and how a small artwork can connect one person and place to another. Our world is a spectrum of stories, big and small. As well as this, thousands of the postcards are also on show in a physical exhibition, at London’s iconic Saatchi Gallery. And there will also be a New York edition, with around 250 of the postcard artworks to be exhibited at Drawing Room in Brooklyn. Following the exhibitions, a number of the postcards will be sold at auction, with proceeds raising funds for Hospital Rooms. FLO London spoke with Holly Shires, Global Head of Creative at Winsor & Newton – and the brains behind the whole Art Mail project…

Art Mail is such an inspiring project. Where did the idea come from? Was there a particular moment, memory or piece of mail that sparked it, and why a postcard rather than a bigger canvas or a competition? 

It was actually my husband that sparked the idea. He was new to working with watercolour and I gave him some of our Winsor & Newton Watercolour paper postcards and there was no stopping him. Soon they were all over the house. There was something about the scale that made it less intimidating than a larger canvas, there is also something so familiar about it. It was important to the project to have a piece of art that would physically travel to us in London. It felt tactile and human, plus the joy we all got in our office when the postcards arrive has been an extra bonus. We discussed the idea of making it competition but felt strongly that this wasn’t right. Art Mail is all about inclusivity at all levels, no one postcard is better than another. We didn’t want first time artists to feel like their work didn’t matter.

Artwork by Heather Phillipson (UK), watercolour, 2026. Courtesy of Winsor & Newton.

Why watercolour, and why now? How does Art Mail reflect what Winsor & Newton stands for as a brand, especially as its first global campaign? 

Watercolour plays such a strong part of the Winsor & Newton brand and our legacy. During this time of year it is the medium of chose for many artists, taking it outside painting en plein air. Watercolour is also such a versatile and accessible paint to work with, for people trying it for the first time it’s a beautiful way to start a creative journey.

The project is open to everyone, from professional artists to first-time painters. Why was that important to you? how does it feel to exhibit all of these side by side? 

It’s such a joy to see all the works come together, and sit alongside each other. Works from opposite end of the world end up next to each other; a London pigeon next to a Galapagos Island tortoise, and a first-time artist next to a turner prize nominee. This levelling of all works, skill level, practice and techniques was key to the project and can be really brought to life through the exhibition.

Artwork by Andrew Carter (UK), watercolour, 2026. Courtesy of Winsor & Newton.

Sending art through the post is quite a nostalgic, tactile act in a digital world. What does the postcard format do that a simple online upload couldn't? 

Each piece of art now tells a story. One of the artist who created it, and the journey it went on to reach us. So many have stamps and franks on them, little notes of thanks from the artists. I also think there was something really special about the artist sending the card off in the mail to us, that sense of anticipation on when will it arrive and go into the online gallery. The connection between Winsor & Newton and the community of over 8,000 artists who came together in this project is much stronger down the simple act of sending a postcard.

Artwork by Reni Nurani (Indonesia), watercolour, 2026. Courtesy of Winsor & Newton.

How do you physically curate an exhibition from thousands of small works? 

We did this by embracing the beautifully chaotic nature of this body of work. We wanted to allow for discovery as you move around the space, spotting little moments, or themes. The format of the works as a postcard gives unity and formality, which allows for a looser freer curation of colours, themes and skill level.

Did any submissions surprise you? Were there any stories, subjects or first-time painters that stayed with you? 

We were overwhelmed by the number of postcards we received, and also the level of talent and care that has clearly gone into them. It’s such a privilege to imagine the time spent creating and expressing themselves for this project. We always enjoyed it when there was a little note from the artist on the back of the card, or a thank you letter from someone who has never painted before now. One teenager from India even sent us some home-made bookmarks. To see how this has authentically connected with our artist community has been something really special. There is one particular seagull that has stayed with me, a photoreal strawberry and many, many cats!

Artwork by Oliwia Sadowska (Poland), watercolour, 2026. Courtesy of Winsor & Newton.

Some postcards will be sold to raise funds for Hospital Rooms. Why did you choose that partnership, and what do you hope visitors take away from the exhibition? 

Hospital Rooms are Winsor & Newton’s charity partner so it was important for us to use this project to raise awareness and funds for them. The whole team are amazing and do such important work bringing art and creativity into mental health spaces across the UK. We worked with many of their artists to create postcards, as well as including an Art Mail postcard pack into 1000 digital art school boxes which were sent to units across the country. We really hope that people leave the exhibition knowing more about their work, and with anticipation for the auction later in the year.

Artwork by Diane Simpson-Little (UK), watercolour, 2026. Courtesy of Winsor & Newton.

And as Winsor & Newton's Global Head of Creative, could you talk about some of the other exciting projects you have worked on recently...and any others coming up? Or ongoing initiatives? 

I am very lucky to have worked on some great projects at Winsor & Newton, one I am really proud of is the International Art Prize we run with Paul Smith’s Foundation which focuses on support for early career artists. Looking to 2027 we have big ambitions for a new project which we are working on. One which builds on the great response we had for Art Mail inviting our global artist community to come together once again.

Art Mail runs at Saatchi Gallery from the 1st to the 11th October 2026.

View the full Art Mail online gallery HERE.