Christina Symes
Degree: BA Fine Art: Painting
University: Wimbledon College of Arts
Graduation Year: 2017
New Blood Art Statement
Christina’s work is quietly confident – these small canvases with rich detailing of colour and light, draw you in. We're not alone in noticing the quality of her work and Christina has been selected for inclusion in the Clyde & Co Awards, which supports the next generation of emerging artists and has collections internationally – she was recently chosen as the winner of the staff vote prize of £2000. Notably a framed piece of Christina’s work is hanging in the House of Commons.
It’s quite rare to find such a collectable young artist whose work will tenderly yet intensely add beauty to your home. With prices starting at around £300 – it is the perfect time to invest!
Artist Statement
My practice strives to stimulate the viewers’ awareness of their own environment and specifically their engagement with nature. Through my painting, I share my own experience of liberation through nature. This offers me a form of escapism, peace and solitude, in contrast to the chaos and complexity of modern life.
I combine realistic, enhanced and imaginary elements, using bold, amplified colours and divergent tonal values. My experimentation extends to photo editing software and filters, to further explore and manipulate contrast and saturation.
By incorporating silhouettes of anonymous and isolated figures, facing away from the viewer, a sense of mystery and curiosity can be generated. My figures are stripped of identity and personality to direct the viewer’s focus firmly on the figure’s relationship with its surroundings.
I want to reflect a narrative of the mental dialogue between human and landscape. I hope this dialogue might enhance the importance of our natural environment, our personal engagement with it and the benefits it can bring to our wellbeing.
Exhibitions
Selected Exhibitions
2018, Clyde & Co Law firm, St Boloph Building, Houndsditch, London
2017, Clyde & Co Art Award, London Collection
2017, Wimbledon College of Arts Fine Art: Painting Degree Show - Wimbledon College of Arts, London
2017, 109 Nails (Group Exhibition) – Copeland Gallery, 9th-12th March, Peckham, London
2016, Creatives Gallery (Group Exhibition), Tunbridge Wells, Kent
2016, Mind Map (3 Person Exhibition), Battersea, London
2015, Capsticks Exhibition – Capsticks Law Firm, 2015-2016, Wimbledon, London
2014, Foundation Diploma Show, Sussex Downs College, Eastbourne
Awards
2017, Winner: Staff Vote, Clyde & Co Art Award - Clyde & Co Law Firm, St Boloph Building, Houndsditch, London
2006, Winner: Art Exhibition Award - Roedean School, Brighton
Notable Presentations of Work:
A limited-edition print of 2016 oil painting titled ‘Estonia – Before the Storm’ was presented to The Most Reverend Urmas Viilma, Archbishop of Estonia, at his visit to the Diocese of Rochester, Kent, on September 24th 2017, to mark the 2017 celebration of the special partnership that exists between these two countries churches. The painting is from a series created during a visit to Haapsalu, Estonia in 2015 and the original currently hangs framed in the House of Commons.