As a contemporary artist with a background in Fine Art, my artistic practice explores the intersection between classical art and contemporary psychological experience through visual imagery. I am currently studying Art Therapy and hope to continue my academic journey to do a Masters in Fine Art. The duality between therapeutic practice and artistic development makes the foundation of the work. I blend figuration with elements of abstraction to convey psychological nuance and be emotionally charged.
The Dover Prize would provide vital support over the course of two years. It would enable me to develop and experiment a body of work that bridges historical aesthetics with mental health narratives.
It would allow me to secure studio space so I could explore large scale work and mixed media. Investing in materials, equipment necessary to make installations. I could attend workshops that support therapeutic art methods.
It would engage with communities to explore shared narratives around healing and identity.
I could prepare and present for exhibitions that showcase the diverse, evolution of my work that the prize would enable for me.
This would be a turning point, and allow me to take creative risks make the work more multi-discliplinary and immersive – the work should be visually compelling and psychologically and emotional resonant, reflecting the human condition with honesty.
I believe my work can meaningfully contribute to the creative landscape of Darlington. The work should invite introspection, reflection and public engagement. Through myriad of materials, sculpture, painting, photography and installation – it would be emotionally resonant art that would foster connection on the community.
I would seek opportunities to collaborate with local organisations, galleries and art groups within Darlington alongside creation of exciting work. Hopefully creating an artistic hub where dialogue about mental illness happen. I believe the dialogue about this can raise awareness and be a support to the creative arts in Darlington and add depth and diversity to the regions artistic output.
My recent exhibitions through contemporary organisations for art are The Holy Art, 2025 in Athens “Future Stars”, London and Tokyo. I also have a solo exhibition with Teravarna. I am being featured in Collect Artworks and also Art Celebrity Magazine. I work in a very intense, emotionally driven way of making art and produce a lot of work. I am constantly experimenting and trying out new things like different mediums. I am about to be featured on Artnet and Artsy. The practice explores mental health, psychology and the human condition through visual elements explored through painterly abstraction and explored in portraiture. The visual elements that are most prominent in my practice are colour and use of lines and mark making. I feel this interpretation, inspired by human condition, study of art history and art psychotherapy, creates something meaningful that sparks dialogue in people through aesthetically compelling work .
I have an undergraduate BA Honours degree in Painting and Printmaking from The Glasgow School of Art, graduating in 2017.
I have a diploma also in Photography at West College Scotland. Currently I am about to finish a level 7 Art Psychotherapy qualification to inform my practice. I finished very recently, a contemporary art course at The Glasgow School of Art in their open studio with Tim Sandys.
I hope to eventually go on to do a masters in fine art, but I am open to whatever will happen.
I have received a nurturing talent fund through creative Scotland. This was at a time when my practice was really starting to develop into something that was visually striking and meaningful.
I am actively involved in pursuing professional for exhibitions, residencies and funding opportunities to allow me to develop and share my work more widely. The applications are not only a means of support but a way to reflect and challenge the direction of my practice.
Moreover, I attend art groups, critiques to stay connected with other artists, exchange ideas and try to be a part of a creative community. I am also a member of an artists union, which gives me access to shared resources and collective exhibitions.
I often collaborate with other artists and I am proactive in starting creative endeavours that engage wider audiences. – I want to make art accessible to everyone and socially relevant.
So far I have not been commissioned by a public institution but I would very much like to be. I love to develop, experiment and want to create something great that will compliment a public institution in their space, whether that be a hospital or an arts centre.
I am working away on my practice and hope that I will eventually be purchased by a public collection. I am ambitious, but only 30 and still finding my way.
My work is due to be published in a new issue of magazine from Collect Artworks, and the possibility of being featured in a book about contemporary artists.
An upcoming spread about me in a magazine by Contemporary Art Collectors is due to be published in June.
Before that, I have been published, an illustration, in Vogue in 2015 and World of Interiors in 2016.
Other publications include basement magazine, juxtapoz magazine and fresh paint magazine.
Currently I have a specific body of work that is represented by Teravarna online, which is shared to Artnet and Artsy.
I have not yet been involved in a residency, I would very much like that experience and I feel it would be a great adventure.
Email: chrissilverart@gmail.com
Address: Flat 12, 97 Bellsmyre avenue, Dumbarton, G82 3BH, GB
Local Authority: West Dunbartonshire
