Christine A. Allan

My name is Christine Allan, an artist based in Chemainus, BC, Canada. My journey began at a young age, driven by a desire to relieve the stress of growing up in an alcoholic home, which instilled in me a passion for art, especially painting.

My work is deeply influenced by my life struggles and places I have lived,

particularly the complexities of emotion and moods created by the landscapes around

me. I draw inspiration from art history, particularly modern art. The deeply spiritual

and emotional abstract work of artists, such as Mark Rothko, help me strive to

capture the essence of emotional moments on canvas. This pursuit allows me to

explore and convey my own feelings about the world and the emotions that are

evoked, providing a unique view of abstract landscapes.

The central themes of my art revolve around open spaces and animals.

Through layering and experimenting with colour, such as washing on colour, thick

impasto and texturing with gesso and found materials. I explore the use of various

mediums, delving into abstraction. This approach invites viewers to embark on their own introspective journeys, encouraging them to reflect on their own perspectives and emotions.

My creative process is both intuitive and deliberate, beginning with either a layer of gesso or a wash of colour. and then evolving through layers of mediums that include metallic and iridescent paints. I often experiment with making my own paint and add found and other items, including crystals, feathers, and detritus, to add depth and complexity to my work. Drawing, wood-burning and other image making is also part of my process. Each piece reflects an ongoing dialogue between my conscious intentions and subconscious impulses, leading to a fusion of elements and layers of complexity.

Ultimately, my work aims to evoke a calm and serene mood and foster a deeper connection between the viewer and the artwork. I strive to create pieces that not only reflect my personal narrative but also resonate universally, touching on shared human experiences and emotions.

Looking forward, I am eager to try new mediums and materials such as fiber with a specific goal to create tapestries in a similar style to my paintings, continuing to push the boundaries of my creative practice and explore new dimensions of my artistic endeavors.

Allan's work draws inspiration deeply entwined with her study of art itself. Her subject matter evolves with her interests and experiences. Her creative process is spontaneous; ideas take form in her mind, which she then immerses herself in bringing to life. Through relentless practice, she honed a technique imbued with a unique tactile quality, something she believes distinguishes her work in the crowded contemporary art world. Legendary artists like Marc Chagall and Vincent Van Gogh significantly influence her work, providing ongoing inspiration and guidance. Allan's talent has been recognized with the Chianciano Award for excellence, a testament to her skill and creativity.

While details of her affiliations with artist organizations and gallery exhibitions are sparse, Allan's presence in the art community is palpably growing. Her career is propelled by the visceral reactions her art evokes. Collectors and admirers are captivated by her pieces' emotional depth and unique texture, though specific endorsements remain unchronicled.

Beyond art, Allan nurtures a passion for animals, reflecting the nurturing aspects of her personality. Her work is grounded in her values and beliefs, serving both as personal healing and a conduit for emotional connection with viewers. Allan sees art as a powerful social force for healing and understanding, aiming to touch lives and inspire. In essence, Allan's art is a testament to resilience and the human spirit. Her creations blend past struggles, relentless pursuit of beauty, and unwavering belief in the healing power of art.

Living in a remote Native Community on the West Coast of BC, the Indigenous way of seeing became important to Christine. Being accepted as an artist in the community allowed her the opportunity to learn First Nations art with respected Nuu-chah-nulth artist and teacher George John.

Three of her West Coast First Nations inspired pieces were part of a museum show to bring attention the plight of wolves in Japan, and one of these also won second prize at the Coho Festival in North Vancouver, BC. Canada Most recently Christine receiving an Award of Excellence for her new environmental work at the London Biennale (2019). In 2014, one of her early environmental pieces was accepted by Leonardo DiCaprio as a gift in thanks for his appreciation of art and his environmental work with the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. Christine proudly supports many environmental and animal protection organizations through sales of her work.

Some of Christine's pyrographic series is not only inspired by the environment, but some are made using hand-made paint with only organic pigments and linseed oil and then wood-burned. These pieces, are intended to create awareness about the ways humans are impacting the planet and the need to stop plastics from entering our waterways.

Christine uses 100% cotton cord, recycled materials of Gannexx macrame cord which is the highest quality up cycled cotton cord in the market. It is made from cotton fabrics from the garment industry. To get the color, they do not dye the fiber, but instead choosing similar color garments, they break down the fabric to cotton fiber again and then spin the fiber to create the cotton thread. With this manufacturing process, they can reduce the water usage in half while also very significantly reducing the CO2 emissions.

By choosing this cotton cord, Christine feels she is helping eliminate waste that will otherwise end up in our landfills. The cord is consistent and without any threads out of place, elevating the work even more. Gannexx is proud to meet the European and American standards and norms that keep you and our planet safe.

Christine supports the Animal Alliance of Canada, the WWF, Plastic Oceans, and other organizations dedicated to protecting biodiversity, ocean conservation, animal protection and climate change through donations from sales of her work.

Besides rock crystal and other materials, only Swarovski Crystals are used in Christine's work to support the Swarovski Foundation which supports Creativity, Cultural Heritage and the Environment. For more information visit http://www.swarovskifoundation.org

Swarovski Foundation

Check out the www.swarovskifoundation.org/environment to see all the work they do.

Art Fairs

Art Vancouver 2015 Sponsored Artist at ART QUAKE KYOTO

Art Monaco 2014

Exhibitions

June Online Fine Art Show, Ladysmith Arts, 2021

Sooke Fine Art Show, Sooke BC, Canada 2021

Solo Exhibition 2020, Neighbourhood Learning Centre, Oak Bay, Victoria BC, Canada - January 2020

London Biennale 2019, Chelsea Town Hall, London England - May 2019

Art Quake Kyoto, The Museum of Kyoto, Japan - April 2017

Billboard Creative – Los Angeles, California - December 2015

Open Art Code in the Salon des Artistes Independants for ART CAPITAL, The Grand Palais, Paris, France - November 2015

Saving Nature Solo Exhibit – Cowichan Performing Arts Centre Theatre Gallery, Duncan BC - June 2015

Art Voyage 2015; Crossing Borders International Exhibit, JMC Gallery New York, NY - Feb. 6 - 28, 2015

London Biennale 2015 – Chelsea Old Town Hall, London England - Jan. 20 – 25, 2015

“Il Ritratto; the Human Portrait” - MacDonald Island Community Art Gallery, Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada

July 31 - Aug, 22nd, 2014

“Members Show” Canadian Federation of Artists Gallery, Granville Island, Vancouver, BC Canada - Jan. 14 - 26, 2014

“Interplay” International Group Show, Studio Vogue Gallery, Toronto, ON, Canada - Oct 9 - 26, 2013

"Diversified Creations" International Group Exhibition, IDA Gallery, New Jersey, USA - Sept. 20 - Oct. 4, 2013

“Chianciano Biennale 2013“, Museo d'Arte di Chianciano, Chianciano (SI) Italy Sept 7 - 14, 2013

“2013 Okanagan Erotic Art Show“, group exhibit, Sparkling Hill Resort, Vernon, BC, Canada - July 5 - Aug. 2, 2013

International Fundraising Exhibit, group exhibit, Art Hub Gallery, London, England - June 6 - 9, 2013

ArTConneKt International group exhibit, MIB Galeria de Artre Contemporanea, Rio de janeiro, Brazil - Mar 22 - Apr. 21, 2013

“Phalanx: the Power of Art“, Group Exhibition, Portals CVAC, Duncan, BC Canada - Mar 15 - 22, 2013,

“The Vagina Monologues Art Show” - group exhibit, Cowichan Theatre, Duncan, BC Canada - Feb - Mar, 2013

“Massively Mini Exhibit” - Group Exhibition, Metchosin Public Art Gallery, Metchosin BC Canada - Nov. 1/12 - Jan 28, 2013

“Journey Through Creativity”- Group Exhibition, JMC Gallery & Framing, New York City, NY USA - Dec. 1 - 31, 2012

Group Exhibit, Metchosin Public Art Gallery, Metchosin BC - Sept. 8 - 23, 2012

Averil Creek Winery, Solo Exhibit, Duncan BC – Sept. 2012

Art Takes Times Square, NYC - group billboard exhibit - June 18, 2012

Cowichan Theatre Gallery, Solo Exhibit, Duncan BC - May 1-30, 2012

Chemainus Theatre Gallery, Chemainus BC, Feb. 24 - Apr. 7, 2012 - joint exhibit with Ted Harrison

Cowichan Valley Fine Art Show, group exhibit (Spring 2010, 2011 & 2012)

“Elements” Group Exhibit, Gibsons Public Art Gallery, Gibsons BC - 2003

“All Nations Art Exhibit II”, Group Exhibition, Community Art Gallery, Trail, BC - 2003

“Coho Festival” Group Exhibition, North Vancouver BC – 2003

2002 Annual Green Millennium Fashion Show, Vancouver BC – 2002

“Wolf Art Exhibit” - Group Exhibition, Wolf Museum and Gallery, Mitsume, Japan – 2002

Student Exhibition, Simon Fraser University Gallery, Burnaby, BC - 1996

Awards

Award of Merit - Chianciano Biennale 2013

2nd Prize at Coho Festival - Coho Society of North Vancouver, 2003

Education

Thompson Rivers University - BA with emphasis on Art History

Emily Carr University - Continuing Studies in Fine Art

Simon Fraser University - Certificate in Liberal Arts

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Press

Featured in Arts Council of Ladysmith newsletter June Newsletter

"Christine is a wonderfully creative artist who has a sure and intuitive touch for everything she tackles. A joy to work with and a truly sensitive and empathetic person. Her real life experience comes out through her art." - Simon Veness (author, Vaness Travel Media)

"Playfully insightful...artistic expression is timeless for Christine Allan."

- Peter W. Rusland (News Leader Pictorial)

Billboard Creative (TBC) launched its second public art show on December 1st, 2016 on 33 billboards

throughout the streets of Los Angeles. This second effort by the non-profit TBC featured an outstanding number of emerging and established artists including Ed Ruscha, Jack Pierson, Andrew Bush, Shane Guffogg,

Kim McCarty, Panos Tsagaris, and Christine A. Allan's featured work titled "Let it Rain"

Christine was among a small group of artists to exhibit with the OpenArtCode artists in the Salon des Artistes Indépendants for ART CAPITAL at the Grand Palais in Paris from 24-29 November 2015. Each year ART CAPITAL that includes the Salon des Indépendants, attracts more than 30,000 visitors to the Grand Palais.

Masters such as Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Camille Pissarro and the "Founding Fathers" Albert Dubois-Pillet, Odilon Redon, Georges Seurat and Paul Signac, in 1884 created the Société des Artistes Indépendants (Society of Independent Artists). Madame Chapelle, President of the Société des Artistes Indépendants, has said about the OAC Group: Devenu partie intégrante de la Société des Artistes Indépendants dans le cadre de ART en CAPITAL, c'est un honneur pour moi, d'accueillir les artistes talentueux du groupe OpenArtCode.

Ape Conservation Effort Fundraiser

May 16, 2015

Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia

The challenge: to create an interpretation of a piece created by one of the apes. Christine's piece was auctioned with a piece created by one of the apes.

London Biennale 2015. Christine A. Allan to show her environmentally inspired art at the Chelsea Old Town Hall.

Christine A. Allan, Vancouver Island artist has been selected to participate in this museum quality exhibition.130 artists from 40 countries from around the globe come together in this multicultural, prestigious, colourful and dynamic show in the heart of vibrant Chelsea at The Old Town Hall from the 20th to 25th of January 2015. The up and coming artist, living and working in Chemainus, BC, was chosen for the London Biennale because of her participation in the Chianciano Biennale 2013 in Italy, where she recieved an award of Merit. Showing her expressionist mixed media pieces of animals, butterflies, and digital images, she hopes to bring more awareness to the plight of wildlife around the world. Her work is colourful and textured, with hints of influences from artists of the turn of century. She says "I am very excited about 2015, and starting the year by joining the London Biennale could not be better. I'll be showing "Hanging On" and “Saving the Blue Morpho”, both of which represent my feelings about the destruction of the rainforest. London is the global art capital and the London Art Biennale is where the contemporary art of the world is presented. The Biennale 2013 took place at the Chelsea Old Town Hall and gathered artworks from approximately 40 different nations; artists who have exhibited in some of the most important museums in the world as well as emerging artists who have been selected for their talent.

Solely dedicated to works on canvas, sculpture and drawing, the London Art Biennale 2013 presentation

attracted thousands of visitors during the exhibition and the collateral events - such as a charity auction including an original Andy Warhol, conducted by Nicholas Bonham, heir of the family auctioneer dynasty and Bonham's Auction house founded in 1793. The Biennale takes place on the King's Road, Chelsea, which is known as the true artistic centre of London. The Chelsea Old Town Hall was designed by John Brydon in 1885, an architect who was commissioned for a number of important projects, including the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath. The venue with it's prominent and elegant Victorian setting with ornate vaulted ceiling, brass chandeliers and mahogany panelled walls is the ideal setting for this celebration of contemporary art that is the London Art Biennale.

More info: www.londonbiennale.co.uk

https://www.mynewsdesk.com/ca/pressreleases/christine-a-allan-london-biennale-2015-1102819

Christine A. Allan recieved an AWARD OF MERIT at the Chianciano Biennale 2013 held Sept 7 - 14 at Museo d'Arte di Chianciano Terme, Viale della Liberta' 280 53042 Chianciano (SI), Italy

Thousands of visitors attended the event that was very favourably recieved by the public and the critics. The Mayor of Chianciano Terme, Prof. Gabriella Ferranti, stated that the Biennale has become the most important event in Chianciano and is an international beacon for Chianciano.

http://artpress24.com/christine_allan_biennale_chianciano_art_museum

http://biennalechianciano.museodarte.org/?q=biennalechianciano2013_presscoverage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuMhA1WLg-s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZoPZM6bveo

Interesting Link for Art Lovers

Art Reproduction: Handmade Oil Painting Reproductions - sponsor of
Wikigallery.org

Christine A. Allan

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Living in a remote Native Community on the West Coast of BC, the Indigenous way of seeing became important to Christine. Being accepted as an artist in the community allowed her the opportunity to learn First Nations art with respected Nuu-chah-nulth artist and teacher George John.

CA