I am a painter whose work crosses between abstraction and representation, borne from strong emotions in response to place. I am interested in expansive landscapes, urban wastelands, industrial landscapes weathered surfaces that speak of time.
My work begins by engaging with the external world, the urban landscapes of my work were supplemented by expansive landscapes lived and observed during years of climbing and mountaineering. I have sketched throughout my life gathering impressions of light and spatial qualities which I then rework in my studio. I like reimagining them through abstraction and extending the the impressions beyond literal.
Added layers and reinventions provide information but also lead to questions and ambiguities I offer.
I like to work in series making several paintings at once to find continuity. My visual analysis and thinking are the product of my architectural background, my love for the outdoors but also 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 and also practice printmaking.
In Victorian Birmingham looking ‘right’.
...’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.