Christine Reimer

Christine Reimer, Artist Statement

I have always considered painting a discrete language, not of words but of perception or feeling. Paintings possess the unique qualities of the artist, but the nuances of meaning are open to interpretation by the viewer. Sharing my love of vibrant colour and expressive brushwork has been a joyful pursuit, and I am proud of the rich and diverse body of work I’ve created over the years.

But in art, as in life, there are no boundaries to learning and growth. My work underwent a significant change a few years when I shifted from a Fauvist style of landscape painting to Abstract Expressionism, a style I had always wanted to explore. Representational images have mostly disappeared in my recent work, however my use of colour and energetic brushwork remain. I occasionally revisit landscape but from a metaphoric perspective, focussing on the details and subtleties rather than the specific location.

My creative work continues to be influenced by the fragile attributes of nature and its precarious relationship with humanity. Its beauty leaves me in awe, instilling a visceral and organic symbolism in the abstract paintings. Like music, some pieces resonate more than others depending on what associations the viewer brings to the visual experience. Subtle gestures, mark-making and colour shifts may stimulate the viewer’s personal sensibilities. And just as a language can be acquired through interaction, so too, can the ability to perceive the mood, or subtext, of an abstract painting.