After a successful work in progress at The Glasgow Art Club, Beth Knight debuts her show Who Told You To Be Small at the Edinburgh Fringe this year. It’s a story of tackling her demons with painting, comedy, and a jab at the patriarchy.
Glasgow-based artist Beth Knight used nude self-portraits to overcome the shame she held about her body. She started small, painting herself in an unflattering light crying, and showing that painting to the world. Piece by piece, she put her loathing about her looks on blast, with each painting becoming larger and more intimate. It culminated in a pop-up gallery using wall-sized advertisement space in the London Underground, with her painted nude portrait standing 5 and a half meters tall for the world to see. She tackled the misogyny around the standards of beauty that kept her hiding her body for decades by diving into the fear with art and laughter.
This show displays these paintings as she uses her art and comedy to walk you through the journey that led to her freedom. She hopes you, the audience will leave feeling better in your skin, laughing along the way. This is a performance that is sure to leave you feeling uplifted, empowered, and eager to break free from the limitations others try to impose on us
Beth received her Master of Fine Arts from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. In 2023, her paintings have gone on to be included in the Ruth Borchard Self-Portrait Prize exhibition and were in the pre-selections for the Royal Society of Portrait Painters competition. After launching her stand-up career in London last year, she’s performed in top comedy clubs, including The Billy Murray, Monkey Barrel, and The Stand. Now she’s blending her paintings and comedy into an hour show about her fight with internalized patriarchy.
As the Edinburgh Fringe Festival approaches, anticipation for Beth Knight’s show continues to build. Her fresh perspective and unapologetic approach to comedy make her a standout performer in this year’s lineup. Whether you’re a long-time fan of stand-up or new to the comedy scene, “Who Told You To Be Small” promises to be an unforgettable experience that will leave you feeling empowered, uplifted, and thoroughly entertained.
Venue: St Stephens Theatre, 105 St Stephen Street, Edinburgh EH3 5AB, (Venue 166)
Tickets: £10/8
Dates: Aug 2 to 25
Time: 12:00 (1h)
Box Office: Website: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/who-told-you-to-be-small