Christina Allan

Christina Allan is renowned for her vibrant and imaginative paintings that draw inspiration from the anxieties and complexities of the human condition. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Allan pursued her artistic aspirations in New York City, obtaining a Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree in painting from Parsons the New School for Design in 2017, where she was awarded the Dean's BFA Scholarship. Her captivating artworks can be found in private collections across the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Using a variety of materials, such as acrylic and oil paint, airbrush, oil stick, and modeling paste, Allan's creative process begins with sketching characters and scenes that come to life on canvas, sometimes with digital alterations. Her bold and colorful paintings often feature mythical scenes and introspective psychological portraits, populated by creatures and references to fantasy, ranging from angels and deities to Pegasi, spirits, and psychopomps. Blending abstraction and figuration, her fictional narratives unfold in a dreamy yet tangible natural realm, reflecting the existential struggles and fleeting nature of existence.

At the heart of Allan's artistic practice is her exploration of philosophy and mythology, drawing from existentialist ideas of authors like Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus, as well as the mythology of ancient civilizations. She sees myths as a representation of the timeless and complex human experience, expressing universal concerns and emotions such as death, grief, fear, love, and violence. Through her work, Allan interprets and reimagines ancient Greek legends and figures, including Sisyphus, Icarus, Narcissus, and others, similar to how mythological gods and goddesses served as answers to the mysteries of an absurd world. Her art creates an in-between space, offering an escape from the mundane existence and delving into authentic emotions, experiences, and philosophical struggles that are inherent to the human condition.

For Allan, art is a therapeutic escape and an integral part of her identity, guided by her subconscious. Currently based in Toronto, Canada, she continues to create compelling paintings that captivate audiences with their rich narratives and expressive aesthetics.