The University of Leeds – MA Fine Art (2021-23)
Leeds Arts University – BA (Hons) Fine Art (2015-18)
Cleveland College of Art and Design – BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Fine Art (2013-15)
Solo Exhibitions
2023
Trespassed. Studio Kind, Devon.
2021
Can You Spot Me Real Quick? Assembly House, Leeds.
2019
Grounded. Python Gallery, Middlesbrough.
Tensions. Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Selected Group Shows
2026
Sculpture in the Garden. Helmsley Walled Garden, Helmsley. (Opening July 2026)
The Nature of Things. Salts Mill, Saltaire.
HERE, THERE AND NOW. Barnsley Civic, Barnsley.
THE BIG LOVE SHOW. Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds.
2025
[Uz], [Uz], [Uz]: Artists from Working Class Backgrounds. Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery, Leeds.
2024
Loose Environments. Project Space, University of Leeds.
2023
Left in a Safe Place. FAHACS, University of Leeds.
traces v.2. Patrick Studios, Leeds.
traces. Project Space, University of Leeds.
Leeds Artists Show. Leeds Art Gallery, Leeds.
2022
Beneath the Pewter Sky. Gloam, Sheffield.
Middle of the Road. (Duo show with Jenny Beard). Leeds Arts University, Leeds.
Alpha. Air Gallery, Manchester.
Leeds Summer Group Show. The Playhouse, Leeds.
Stunning, Fierce & Yellow v.2. The Auxiliary, Middlesbrough.
Safe In Each Other’s Shadows. Project Space, University of Leeds.
Stunning, Fierce & Yellow. Gallery North, Newcastle.
Routes North. Messums, Harrogate.
2021
Material Matter. Sunny Bank Mills, Leeds.
2020
Leeds Summer Group Show. Online.
CRAFT. Thought Foundation, Birtley.
2019
Major Conversations: The Industrial Narrative. The Turnpike, Leigh.
Training Montage. Pineapple Black Gallery, Middlesbrough.
Major Conversations: The Industrial Narrative. Platform A Gallery, Middlesbrough.
2018
Left Bank Art Prize 2018. Left Bank, Leeds
Free Range, London
SYZYGY. Leeds Art University Degree Show, Leeds
Duty Free. Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds.
Sister//Cister. The Old Red Bus Station, Leeds
2017
Y THO. Mabgate, Leeds.
2016
CMYK. Live Art Bistro, Leeds.
Curation
Duty Free. Leeds
Y THO, Leeds (Head of Curation)
Prizes, awards, and residencies, commissions
Judging panel, Durham University Student Art Prize, 2022.
Material Matter Commission, Sunny Bank Mills, 2020
Sculpture Network 2020, Yorkshire Sculpture International
Patrick Studios Residency, funded by Leeds Arts University, 2020
Woven Festival Commission, Kirklees, 2019
Artist in Residence – Prior Pursglove College & Stockton Sixth Form College, 2018/19
Yorkshire Sculpture Park Graduate Award and Residency, 2018 (Winner)
Left Bank Leeds Art Prize 2018 (Shortlisted)
Free Range Awards Fine Art Week Special Mention, 2018
Kenneth Armitage Young Sculptor Prize, 2018 (Shortlisted)
The One Show Summer Art Competition 2014, The Royal Academy of Arts London (Shortlisted)
Publications/Online articles
UN//TITLED: An Anthology of Queer Contemporary Art 2016-2020
Snooping Through Studios column: interview with Connor Shields
Zwischen: Vada Workshop, ThatLooksQueer
PICASSO BABY DIGITAL ISSUE 003
‘Perspectives’ YSP, Bloomberg Connects App
CVFM Radio Connor Shields Interview
Award-winning artist from Middlesbrough gets creative during lockdown
A Fallow Time: Strength In Isolation
Artist Structures of Support: Online Talk, YSI
Home is where the art is for former student of The Northern School of Art
Review of ‘Tensions’ at Yorkshire Sculpture Park Boat House, 2019.
Review of ‘Major Conversations: The Industrial Narrative’ by ‘Hey Art, What’s Good?’
Yorkshire Sculpture Park Visiting Artist
Yorkshire Sculpture Park Awards Residency To Fine Art Graduate
Alumni Shortlisted For Art Prize
Nest Magazine – LGBTQ+ edition, 2018.
Connor Shields 