Born in Southsea, Hants, Christine Watson studied at Winchester School of Art and the Slade School of Fine Art. She was recipient of the EA Abbey Award in Painting with a residency at the British School at Rome in 1995. Her work is held in private collections in Europe, America, Australia and the Far East and in public collections including the V&A in London, Peterborough City Art Gallery, and the National Print Archive at Scarborough Art Gallery. She is a lecturer at Barnet Southgate College and teaches private classes in Muswell Hill and Barnet. She is author of ‘Art Therapy’, published by Arcturus in 2017. Christine was elected a member of the National Association of Acrylic Painters (NAPA) in 2017, and is a member of the Printmakers Council. She was elected to be member of the Pastel Society in 2022 and Associate member of the Society of Women Artists in 2024.

 

Solo exhibitions

 

2024 Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution, Highgate, London

2017 Coffee Seeker, London N12

2014 Tintico Cafe, London N3

2014 Dexter & Co, Holborn, London WC1

2014 Butterfields Bank, London WC1

2012 Gallery K, Nicosia, Cyprus

2008 Moments in Time, Gallery K, Nicosia, Cyprus

2008 Moments in Time, Gallery K, London NW3

2003 Hydra-Kythera-Spetses-Syros, Gallery K, London NW3

2001 Island Architecture, Gallery K, London NW3

1997 Women of Rome, Gallery K, London NW3

1994 Pilgrims, Gallery K, London NW3

1991 Woodlands Art Gallery, Blackheath, London SE12

1986 The Original Gallery, Hornsey, London N8

1986 North Finchley Library, London N12

1986 Ring Cycle, The Hexagon, Reading

1985 Magic Circles, The Arts Centre, Christ’s Hospital School, Horsham

1984 Off Centre, Peterborough City Art Gallery

 

Selected group exhibitions

 

2024. The Society of Woman Artists Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London

2024 IAS Print Exhibition, Highbury Roundhouse, N5

2024 The Pastel Society, Linden Hall Studio, Deal, Kent

2024 Society of Graphic and Fine Artists 103rd Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London

2024 Royal Society of British Artists Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London

2024 PMC Surface Challenge Exhibition, Barbican Library, London,

2024 Pastel Society 125th Open Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London

2023 Home, ArtCan Exhibition, Downstairs at the Department Store, Brixton

2023 Southbank Printmakers Mini Print Exhibition, Gabriels Wharf, SE1 9PP

2023 Christmas Exhibition, Parndon Mill, Harlow, Essex

2023 Guildford House Open Exhibition, Guildford, Surrey

2023 Small but Mighty, Bankside Gallery, London

2023 Printmakers Inc, Haverford Hub, Haverford West, Wales

2023 Inspired By, PMC exhibition, Emma Mason Gallery, Eastbourne

2023 Spot the Artist 2023, Porthmeor Sudios, St Ives

2023 Royal West of England Academy Open Exhibition, Bristol

2023 Ironbridge Fine Arts Printmaking Open Competition, Ironbridge, Shropshire. Permajet Prizewinner, Cranfield Prizewinner

2023 Royal Society of Printmakers/Etchers International Open Competition, Bankside Gallery, London

2023 Chelsea Art Society Annual Exhibition, Chelsea Town hall, London

2023 Enigma, The Gallery at Holt, Holt, Norfolk

2023 The Society of Woman Artists Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London SW1

2023 IAS Spring Exhibition, Stoke Newington Library, London N16

2023 The Pastel Society Exhibition 2022, Mall Galleries, London SW1.

2023 Thinking for Printing, PMC exhibition, Bankside Gallery, London, SE19JB. John Purcell paper prizewinner

2022 Spot the Artist 2019, Porthmeor Sudios, St Ives

2022 Surface and Depth, Mandells Gallery, Elm Hill, Norfolk, NR3 1NH

2022 Printmakers Inc, Haverford Hub, Haverford West, Wales

2022 Printmakers Inc, Tenby Museum and Art Gallery, Wales

2022 Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair

2022 Winners/Prizewinners Exhibition 2020-22, Mall Galleries, London, SW1

2022 The Society of Woman Artists Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London SW1

2022 IAS Spring Exhibition, The Original Gallery, London N8

2022 The Pull of the Prints, Linden hall Studio, Deal, Kent

2022 The Society of Graphic Fine Artists Exhibition 2022, Mall Galleries, London SW1.

2022 The Pastel Society Exhibition 2022, Mall Galleries, London SW1. Elected to be member of the Pastel Society

2021 Fusion, The Gallery at Holt, Holt, Norfolk

2021 Spot the Artist 2019, Porthmeor Sudios, St Ives

2021 IAS 80th Anniversary Exhibition, The Espacio Gallery, Shoreditch, London E2

2021 The Society of Woman Artists Annual Exhibition

2021 The Northern Line, Highgate Scientific and Literary Institution, Pond Square, London N6

2021 Ecologies of Change, Royal Overseas League, Park Place, St James, London SW1A 1LR

2021 Southbank Printmakers Mini Print Exhibition, Gabriels Wharf, SE1 9PP

2021 Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair

2021 The Pastel Society Exhibition 2021, Mall Galleries, London SW1, Schmincke Prize Winner

2021 Incognito, Royal Overseas League, Park Place, St James, London SW1A 1LR

2020 The Society of Woman Artists Annual Exhibition

2020 The Discerning Eye

2021 Pastels,The Gallery at Holt, Holt, Norfolk

2020 Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair

2020 The Art of Printmaking, Hertford Theatre, Hertford

2020 Time, Printmakers Council Exhibition, Highgate Literary &Scientific Institution, London N8

2020 Printmakers Council Archive, Scarborough Art Gallery, North Yorkshire

2020 The Pastel Society Exhibition 2020, Mall Galleries, London SW1

2019 IAS Autumn Exhibition, Stoke Newington Library, London N16

2019 Spot the Artist 2019, Porthmeor Sudios, St Ives

2019 IAS Summer Exhibition, Stoke Newington Library, London N16 (prize-winner)

2019 Mini Prints, Printmakers Council Exhibition, Scarborough Art Gallery

2019 NAPA Summer Exhibition The Crypt Gallery, St Ives, Cornwall

2019 Spring Showcase, Artsdepot, London N12

2019 Primavera, Barbican Library Gallery, The Barbican, London

2019 Journeys, Printmakers Council Exhibition, Oxmarket Gallery, Chichester

2019 Journeys, Printmakers Council Exhibition, Jack House Gallery, Portsmouth

2019 Journeys, Printmakers Council Exhibition, London Print Studio, London, W8

2019 The Pastel Society Exhibition 2019, Mall Galleries, London W1

2018 Printmakers Council Archive, Scarborough Art Gallery, North Yorkshire

2018 Incognito, Royal overseas League, Park Place, St James, London SW1A 1LR

2018 IAS Autumn Exhibition, The Original Gallery, London N8

2018 50:50, Highgate Scientific and Literary Institution, Pond Square, London N6

2018 Memory, Royal overseas League, Park Place, St James, London SW1A 1LR

2018 Printmaking Exhibition, Hampstead School of Art, London NW3

2018 IAS Spring Exhibition, Stoke Newington Library, London N16

2018 Summer Salon, Islington Arts Factory, London N7

2018 National Acrylic Painters Association Summer Exhibition, St Ives

2018 The Pastel Society Exhibition 2018, Mall Galleries, London W1

2018 The Impact of Buildings, Allies & Morrison, Southwark, London SE1

2018 Hampstead Arts Council, Central St Giles, London WC2

2017 The Pastel Society, Mall Galleries, London W1

2017 East Finchley Arts Festival, London N2

2017 Suraya Arts, Framers Gallery, London WC1

2017 Summer Salon, Islington Arts Factory, London N7

2017 Reflections, Ply Gallery, Hornsey Town Hall, London N8

2017 Printmaking Exhibition, Hampstead School of Art, London NW3

2017 Printmakers Council Archive, Scarborough Art Gallery, North Yorkshire

2017 Print City, Morley Gallery, London SE1

2017 Mini Print Exhibition, Morley Gallery, London SE1

2017 Making a Mark, Scarborough Art Gallery, North Yorkshire

2017 IAS Summer Exhibition, The Espacio Gallery, Shoreditch, London E2

2017 IAS Autumn Exhibition, The Original Gallery, London N8 (prize-winner)

2017 IAS Autumn Exhibition, Ply Gallery, Hornsey Town Hall, London N8

2017 Hackney Arts Hub, Stoke Newington Library, London N16

2017 First Edition, Linden Hall Studio, Deal, Kent

2017 EFO Artists Open House, London N2

2016 Hampstead School of Art, London NW3

2016 The World About Us, Stephens House, London N3

2016 The Pastel Society, Mall Galleries, London W1

2016 Summer Salon, Islington Arts Factory, London N7

2016 IAS Summer Exhibition, The Espacio Gallery, Shoreditch, London EC2

2016 IAS Autumn Exhibition, The Original Gallery, London N8

2016 EFO Artists Open House, London N2

2016 East Finchley Arts Festival, London N2

2016 Breaking Boundaries, The Original Gallery, London N8

2016 Barnet Open, Artsdepot, London N2

2015 The Pastel Society, Mall Galleries, London W1 (Schmincke prize-winner)

2015 The London Group part 2, The Cello Factory, London SE1

2015 Summer Salon, Islington Arts Factory, London N7

2015 Rhythm 'n' Blues, The Original Gallery, London N8

2015 Proof, Phoenix Cinema, London N2

2015 Paint Camera Action, Phoenix Cinema, London N2

2015 IAS Autumn Exhibition, The Original Gallery, London N8 (prize-winner)

2015 IAS 75th Anniversary Summer Exhibition, Lauderdale House, London N6

2015 EFO Artists Open House, London N2

2015 Barnet Open, Artsdepot, London N12

2014 The Pastel Society, Mall Galleries, London W1

2014 Summer Salon, Islington Arts Factory, London, N7

2014 Splashes, Wisps and Fragments, The Original Gallery, London N8

2014 Mini Affordable Art Fair, Keats Community Library, London NW3

2014 London Jewish Cultural Centre, London NW11

2014 IAS Spring Exhibition, Stoke Newington Library, London N16

2014 IAS Autumn Exhibition,Tthe Original Gallery, London N8 (prize-winner)

2014 EFO Art Fair, London N2

2014 Barnet Open, Artsdepot, London N12

2013 London Jewish Cultural Centre, London NW11

2013 IAS Autumn Exhibition, The Original Gallery, London N8

2013 IAS Spring Exhibition, Stoke Newington Library, London N16

2013 EFO Art Fair, London N2

2013 Cycles, Highgate Literary & Scientific Institution, London N6

2013 10x10, Phoenix Cinema, London N2

2012 London Jewish Cultural Centre, London NW3

2012 Take Six, Artisan Gallery, London NW9

2012 Phoenix Cinema, London N2

2012 EFO Open House, London N2

2011 EFO Open House, London N2

2011 Small is Beautiful, Artsdepot, London N12

2011 Lights Up, Phoenix Cinema, London N2

2010 Phoenix Cinema, London N2

2010 EFO Open House, London N2

2010 Barnet Open, Artsdepot, London N12

2010 Lost Heritage, Gallery K, Nicosia, Cyprus

2010 Lost Heritage, Gallery K, Athens, Greece

2009 Lost Heritage, Gallery K, London NW3

2009 Koukan Gallery, London N10

2009 Phoenix Cinema, London N2

2009 Lost Heritage, Melina Mercouri Hall, Nicosia, Cyprus

2009 EFO Open House, London N2

2008 International Art Fair, Royal College of Art, London W1

2007 EFO Open House, London N2

2006 EFO Open House, London N2

2006 Angels, Gallery K, London NW3

2006 EFO Art Fair, London N2

2005 Berthold Gallery, London N3

2005 EFO Art Fair, London N2

2004 Maternity, Hotel St Raphael, Limassol, Cyprus

2004 Maternity, Galley K, Nicosia, Cyprus

2004 EFO Art Fair, London N2

2003 Green Line – Cyprus 1974-2001, War Museum, Athens, Greece

2003 East Finchley Arts Festival, London N2

2002 Maternity, The Errikos Dynan Hospital, Athens, Greece

2001 Green Line – Cyprus 1974-2001, Gallery K, Nicosia, Cyprus

1998 Maternity, Gallery K, London NW3

1995 Small is Beautiful, Flowers East, London E8

1994-02 Kiss exhibitions, Gallery K, London NW3

1994 The Pastel Society, Mall Galleries, London W1

1994 Small is Beautiful, Flowers East, London E8

1992 Travellers in Greece, Gallery K, London NW3

1992 Merz Contemporary Art, London W8

1992 Geffrye Museum, London E2

1991 The Pastel Society, Mall Galleries, London W1

1991 A View of the New, Royal Over-Seas League, London W1

1982 Stowells Trophy, Royal Academy, London

 

Since her residency at the British School at Rome, Christine's work has investigated the cities, towns and villages of the Mediterranean region, from Italy to Greece and Morocco. Here the built environment is characterized not so much by individual buildings as by walls, doorways and windows, and specifically the spaces between them in the form of passages and alleyways. These surfaces merge in a sophisticated urban continuum, bearing the marks and traces of centuries of habitation.

Christine works in a variety of media, from oils and acrylics to print, but her core enthusiasm is for working with pastels, which best conveys the atmosphere of her subject matter. Christine’s camera is her sketchbook, with photographs representing the starting point for each work, and the composition is gradually pared back to reveal its essential qualities – what is missing is as significant as what remains. The work is intended to provoke the imagination: What is around the corner? What is behind the door? And who has just walked past?

Typically, each pastel takes several weeks of work, with the image gradually coaxed into being through an intense and obsessive exploration of colour and tone – -the end result is always uncertain.