Christine Das gives a voice to Nature through her art

In some paintings, instead of lines, a mosaic of different shades of blue or orange form the trees or the forest.

Every painting in the solo exhibition titled “Homecoming” by local artist Christine Das has striking bright colours that demand attention.

Using acrylic on canvas, the paintings clearly show how strongly Christine feels about the message she’s trying to push through her art.

“My paintings are a voice for Nature where I have found my purpose in life,” said the 47-year-old Penang-born artist.

Now based mostly in Kuala Lumpur, Christine decided to reconnect to her Penang roots and reintroduce her art here with this show at PenangPAC in Straits Quay which is held in conjunction with the George Town Festival (GTF) 2014.

The former graphic designer decided to venture into fine art back in 2007 and is now a successful artist of what she calls “modern stylised art.”

“When I first began in 2007, I started with my Christian faith pieces and then as the years progressed, I started to grow in my own journey where I went into Nature,” she said.

The artist eventually went into environmental conservation work with non-governmental organisations to create awareness and raise funds.

“I want to speak for the trees and Nature in crisis through my art. My paintings are trying to get people who look at it to connect with what I’m trying to say, to get them to see the beauty of Nature and then to love it,” she said.

A painting of an elephant titled Cuddle. — Picture by K.E.Ooi

She said she used fine lines in most of her work while some feature mosaics which she only recently started going into and a few are a mixture of both fine lines and mosaics.

The collection also showcases some figurative works which are her “depiction of Mother Nature.”

These are works featuring a female figure amidst Nature; she’s depicted as a nurturer and animals, butterflies and plants gravitate towards her.

Bright...a painting depicting a bird in nature. — Picture by K.E.Ooi

“She’s almost like my alter ego as I feel very deeply for our rainforest. If you look closely, she has no mouth as I feel that Mother Nature always listens, feels and touches but is always silent,” she said.

Christine has participated in numerous local and international group art shows eg. an installation project for Wei Ling Art Gallery at the 2013 Art Basel Exhibition in Hong Kong.

One of Christine's figurative works featuring Mother Nature. — Picture by K.E.Ooi

“Homecoming” is one of the many free art installations and exhibitions in GTF 2014, an annual month-long arts, cultural and heritage festival in celebration of George Town’s inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Find out more about the festival and its various events and programmes at www.georgetownfestival.com.