I formalised my lifelong interest in art by obtaining a First Class BA (Hons) in Art Practice and Theory from Lancaster University in 2006.
My practice seeks to counter the idea that art does not engage with world events by exploring socio-political issues. I was inspired by the writings of the art critic John Berger, who described the present historical period as “the time of the Wall.” Although the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, Berger noted that many others have since been erected – concrete, bureaucratic, surveillance, security, racist, and zone walls – and that walls of separation also exist within us all.
After graduating I was offered a residency at Lancaster University Chaplaincy Centre, which I titled “Walls.” Work from that period can be viewed here: http://christinedawsonart.blogspot.com/?m=1 Please note this is an old blogspot and many links on it are obsolete.
My work reflects postmodern pluralism: it is diverse and eclectic in method and materials. It is socially engaged and idea-driven, using multi-media approaches, symbolic materials, research, personal testimony, and participatory elements to address injustice, trauma, walls/separation, and resilience.
In 2008–2009, during Israel’s Operation Cast Lead in Gaza (a 23-day offensive), more than 1,000 Palestinians were killed, including 353 children (Defence for Children International). My response, as always, was to make art that highlighted the human cost of these events.
The diagnosis of my husband’s terminal cancer, his subsequent death, and my own journey with cancer interrupted both this body of work and my career as an artist. His absence made continuing on this path feel futile at the time. See “Precious Flowers”: https://palestine-art-rootsandwings.co.uk
The ongoing situation in Gaza has been the catalyst for me to create art again, culminating in Gauze 2.
Gauze 2 commemorates 55 members of the Abuzour family killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on 4.12.23 and highlights scholasticide – the systematic destruction of Gaza’s Education System.