Claudia Meads

“The main message I want my art to communicate to viewers is the relationship between high art, with classical and religious themes through portraiture, and what is considered low art - street graffiti. I did this through a neo expressionist style that includes an element of realism, through portraiture. 

I became interested in the Neo Expressionist movement in 2021 - particularly Jean Michel Basquiat. I studied the particular techniques within this style. In particular, I looked toward one of his most famous works, ‘Untitled’ (1982) as a foundation for the type of work I was looking at creating. 

I became interested in the Neo Expressionist movement in 2021 - particularly Jean Michel Basquiat. I studied one of his most famous works, Untitled’ (1982), as part of an Art History internal and it inspired me to take this kind of direction with my painting portfolio.

As a contrast to the Neo Expressionist style I wanted to keep an element of realism, as I began studying Art History where we learnt about High Renaissance Art. I took a particular interest in the devotional pieces and religious themes. I liked the idea of combining these two extremes of art and seeing how they could coexist in my paintings."