I am a painter whose work crosses between abstraction and representation, borne from strong emotions in response to place. I am interested in urban wastelands, industrial landscapes, building and structures whether of cities or post industrial sites, weathered surfaces that speak of time, erosion and renewal.
My work begins by engaging with the external world to explore environments and landscapes that may otherwise go unnoticed. I observe how light, atmosphere and spatial qualities shape the essence of a site. I gather these impression in my sketchbook and then work on them in my studio, reimagining them through abstraction and extending the the impressions beyond the literal.
Added layers, scraping off and more layers reveal the original intention; the reinventions provide further questions, and ambiguity maybe as an opportunity for reflection which I can offer the viewer.
I like to work in series making several paintings at once.In this way the paintings ‘talk’ to one another and provide continuity drawing on my architectural background, my Italian origin and my sense of belonging here in the UK.
I paint mainly with oils and work outside with charcoal, watercolours or inks.
I also practice printmaking with etching in particular because I see that the elaborate processes that printmaking offers, as invaluable tools for visual analysis and development of my artwork.
In Victorian Birmingham.
...’Cristina Gardiner evokes sense of place with stunning landscapes.’ (Hugh Pearman – RIBA Journal Eyeline Competition 2020)
Diploma of Applied Art Istituto d’ Arte di Porta Romana, Florence, Italy
Bachelor of Art, Post Graduate in Architecture, and Master in Design and Theory of Architecture, Birmingham University
Masters of Science in Conservation of Historic Building, Bath University
Portmeor Program (15 months) – St Ives School of Art
Royal Drawing School London – Etching Week
2026 18/06-1/08 – ‘RBSA Summer Show’ PV 18 June.
2026 19/5-13/6 RBSA Membership ‘Small Works’ group exhibition
2025 01/07 – 02/08 – RBSA Summer Show 2025
2025 9/01 – 8/02 – RBSA Birmingham – Friends 2025 Exhibition
2024 13/06 – 21/07 – RBSA Birmingham – Summer Show 2024
2024 29/02 – 06/04 – RBSA Birmingham- The Printing Prize, selected
2023 5/09 – 18/10 RBSA Birmingham- The Drawing Prize, selected
2023 – 12 January-17 February – Worcester OPEN Climate Change Edition Group Exhibition at THE ART HOUSE, Worcester
2022 – 15 September/October – RBSA Birmingham – Prize Exhibition- selected
2022 – August – Worcestershire Open studios
2022 – 13/23 May – Elmslie House, Malvern – The Space Between – Group Exhibition
2022 – 15/24 April – Borlaise Smart Room, St Ives – InSight – Group Exhibition
2021 – November – A Pickled Thought Gallery, Totness – Group Printing Exhibition
2021 – August – Worcestershire Open Studios
2021 – July and August – Greenman Gallery – Buxton – 100 years of the Pinnacle Club for Women’s Climbers
2021 – Eyeline International Competition RIBA Journal – Shortlisted
2021 – June/ July – RBSA Birmingham – Friend’s Exhibition
2020 – Eyeline International Competition RIBA Journal– Practitioner’s 3rd Place
2020 – June/July – RBSA Birmingham – Friend’s Exhibition
Worcestershire Open Studios 2026 (22-31st August) will take place at my studio in St. Johns Worcester Venue 104 please look son the website or hardcopy of program on page 30 on how to get there.
Solo exhibition Florence, Oct. – Dec. 26 details TBC.