Meet the Artist

Artist Statement 2011

Paintings as an Abstract Expressionist I explore paint as elemental and reactive; its ability to translate energy and communicate. I start with an uninhibited release, a place where I express freely. The study of nature and science are at play in my paintings – the effect of gravity and chemical reactions. Visual happenings are captured on the surface of the canvas, offering clues and pathways.

Through this visual language, I hope that my work may ignite new mental and emotional recognitions; a place to ponder and rediscover, perhaps for the viewer to find their story in my painting. There is always a story – that's the point and the very heart of my work. I ask the viewer to trust their responses as true and valid.




"With her paintings in numerous public and private collections Caroline Christie is becoming one of Australia's most exciting Abstract painters". Box Magazine Winter 2010.

"After years of endless experimentation with her medium, Christie is confident of what her paints and chemicals will do under different conditions, and uses this knowledge to help achieve a brushless fluidity and raw energy. She admits that... there are surprises and for her this is always an exciting part of making art. She says, "time and timing are paramount in this arena: in a complex relationship with different aspects working with and against each other to create and then record an exchange of energy." In this process Christie becomes both the creator and spectator of her work. She believes that the role of her artwork is only truly completed in the eyes of the person viewing it". Arts writer Rebecca derooy 2010




Born 
19 December, 1969 South Africa

Education
1986: Completed TE in South Africa with distinctions in both Fine Art and
History of Art
1987 - 88: University of Cape Town BA Architecture
1989 - 91: University of Cape Town Bachelor of Fine Art, Major History of Art

Post Graduate Experience
Caroline Christie has been painting since childhood, but also has extensive business management experience in the Art and Design industry.
  • 1992 - 1996: Worked and later managed a well established family business dealing in African Art and Gold and Diamond Jewellery. [Specializing in collectable Tribal African Art and contemporary South African jewellery Design].
  • 1996: Immigrated to Perth Australia.
  • 1996 - 2005: Created and directed Code Red Art Gallery and Code Orange Design. Code was a respected art and design outfit at the forefront of the local market which traded successfully for over a decade in Perth. Code was sold in June 2005.
  • 2005 to present: Caroline Christie has since been working as a professional artist. Since then Christie has had 8 solo exhibitions and participated in over 30 group showings in Australia.
  • 2010: Became a published Australian Artist with the release of The Life and Works of Caroline Christie; Processing Paint by arts writer Rebecca deRooy.
  • 2011: The Caroline Christie Signature Gallery at the Claremont Gallery, 2 Leura Ave, Claremont.


                       
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