Chris Casali
'I lead a process driven practice that entails a fascination for detail –- reduction and withdrawal, an active escape or removal of oneself, from the external to the internal world, leaving behind fractured landscapes that are obscured and disconnected in form.
My paintings hint towards the natural environment, both a subconscious and conscious action, a process that resonates a personal, yet historical connection to the land and sea. A topic of influence that draws from the nostalgia of memory and guided by the gesture of expressive abstraction'.
Chris Casali obtained a Diploma of Fine Arts from the National Art School, Sydney (1994), a Diploma of Graphic Design from Enmore Design Centre, Sydney TAFE (1998) and a Master of Fine Art with Excellence from the University of New South Wales Faculty of Art and Design (2018).
Casali has exhibited in solo and group shows both in Australia and abroad, including Mexico, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Italy, and China. Her professional exhibiting practice was established in her mid 40’s, prior to this Chris embarked on a career in Arts Education and Arts Management, (Head of Visual Arts and Ceramics, Sydney Region, TAFE NSW). Since 2016 her exhibiting career and recognition of work has accelerated into numerous art competitions, including the Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize (Finalist, Professional Category, 2023), Dobell Drawing Prize 22# (2021), KAAF Art Prize (2019), 3rd Taiwan Watercolour Award Exhibition (2019), Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize (Winner - Emerging Category, 2019); Splash McClelland Contemporary Watercolour Award (2021, 2018); the Biennial International Marche d’Acqua Watercolour Prize (2018); the Kedumba Drawing Award (2015, 2016); The Macquarie Group Emerging Artist Prize (People’s Choice Award and Highly Commended, 2016); Tim Olsen Drawing Award (2016); Fishers Ghost Drawing/Printmaking Award (2014) and the Winsor & Newton Emerging Artist Prize (Highly Commended, 2013).
Her work is represented in public, corporate and private collections in Australia and internationally, including the Paper and Watermark Museum, Fabriano, Italy; the Kedumba Collection of Drawings, the Macquarie Group Collection, and the Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Collection.