christopher ward's Profile

From: United Kingdom
Joined: June 12, 2008

About christopher ward:

I have just graduated from Middlesex University in London, I have been studying for a degree in fine art.

In the last year my work has became more considered and a more expressive form of figurative painting compared to my previous work. This year the figures within my work they have taken on “esoteric overtones” that I did not consider previously. This year my work has become more personal and autobiographical in nature, and this has raised more questions about my practice and myself. I feel that this year it has became more observational, and open to interpretation by the viewer. This is important, as I feel it is a development that allows me a respectable degree of freedom, of expression and influence, within my practice. This is partly due to my influences. I feel that my work requires deeper scrutiny, to discern it’s true meaning. Conseqently. Whilst the work; is subject to individual viewers interpretation.

My work has specific meaning, and has a deep allegorical vein; the painting has been influenced by spiritualist teaching/imagery, i.e. William Blake, Aleister Crowley. Tarot cards, 20th century Expressionist painting, i.e. Edmund Kesting, Max Beckman, George Groze, and Ludwig Meider. Renaissance/Religious painting, i.e. Velazquez, Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Hieronymus Bosch, and Giotto, Contemporary painting, i.e. Anselm Keifer, Luc Tymans, Peter Doig, and Gerhard Richter. Black and White photography, and German Expressionist Cinema, i.e. Das cabinet Des Dr. Caligari, Faust, Nosferatu, Golem, and the student of Prague. I have found that I can use these influences within my practice. I create my own images using photography. Whilst painting is the main focus of my practice, photography is an essential tool of my practice.

The similarity between my art and the Tarot it holds answers. You might get conversations you want, and also has the power to raise questions to the viewer. The viewer has to put some effort into my work, search out clues and visual meanings, to in order to gain an insight. I use my practice as a form of self-discovery. I feel that this year I have grown as an artist, and as a person willing to question myself, and my place amongst society. Which has translated into my work. Nothing is for certain, only my desire for self-discovery, the constant accumulation of knowledge, a desire to learn and the notion to improve myself, and my art.

If you would like to contact me my email address is
caligari1973@hotmail.co.uk