Jen Hardie: Senior Specialist in Modern British Art and Photography

Jen Hardie, Senior Specialist, Modern British Pictures at Sotheby's, brings a decade of experience to the Modern British & Irish Art team. She re-joined Sotheby’s in 2024 as a Director and Senior Specialist and holds a Masters degree in the History of Art from the University of St Andrews. Her professional journey includes spending three years in a Specialist role with the Modern British team, where she worked on high-profile sales including the Bowie/Collector sale in 2016 and the legacy of Churchill in 2014.

Expertise in Modern British and Irish Art

She has a particular interest in the art of St Ives, especially Barbara Hepworth and Peter Lanyon, and the Bloomsbury group. During her career, she has gained extensive experience developing new and innovative sale contexts. Jen is also an auctioneer who has initiated creative partnerships with artists including Yinka Ilori, Kelvin Okafor and Camille Walala.

Focus on Photography and Portraits

Jen has conducted interviews with Sir Grayson Perry and Richard Ansett. Her work in this field is exemplified by the announcement that Sotheby's to Stage Selling Exhibition of Photographs of Grayson Perry by Richard Ansett. This exhibition features A Verray Parfit Gentil Knight: Richard Ansett’s Portraits of Grayson Perry.

Overview of Professional Focus

Specialist Focus	Key Artists and Projects
Modern British Art	Barbara Hepworth, Peter Lanyon, and the Bloomsbury group
Photography	Richard Ansett’s Portraits of Grayson Perry
Creative Partnerships	Sir Quentin Blake, Yinka Ilori, and Kelvin Okafor

Her experience also includes working directly with The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration on a number of fundraising sales, which raised just under £800,000 for charity. Jen's background combines academic excellence with practical expertise in the auction world, focusing on defining works of Modern British and Irish Art.