Gabi Carr is a figurative/expressionist artist whom conveys an empathic message. She works in oils, ink and watercolour. Spanning a wide range of subject matter exploring her intimate thoughts, worries and concerns for herself, loved ones past and present. Gabi draws and paints from her home and studio in Storrington West Sussex. To all of her genres she applies sensitivity, questioning and her concern for humanity and the emotional impact that day to day pressures have upon the human psyche. She uses the animal form as symbolism and the often unfinished quality to the works leave the viewer to answer their own questions in reflection to her work.

How can I really define when making art happened?

I could say it was when I graduated in 2000 in Mixed Media Art from Westminster University or I could say It was always present from the age of around 9 or 10, possibly younger. I feel like it’s been with me from around that age.

I could define my art career from when I sold my 1st piece if that clarifies the question. I don’t really know if that is the answer. Art, aesthetics, colour, animals, objects, music, film, literature, design, beautiful things and the not so beautiful. The way my eyes jump around everything, the way I process, this is it, this is every day life for me as far back as I can remember. It never leaves me, it’s a constant – it’s the way my brain is made and to be honest apart from love this is what fills me up. So there I am trying to explain how it is that I now fit into the category of being an Artist. I would actually say it is more like a syndrome. I didn’t choose to be this its just how I am.

For example it could be the way the cheese grater stands next to the butter dish and the light in the kitchen at that certain time of day with a song playing on the radio. To me this is art, this is sometimes all it has to be. But this is a constant in my head from when I wake until my eyes shut for sleep and then there are dreams and the subconscious but I’m not going to attempt to write about that.

So if we say the year 2000 – there’s a starting point! I cold called galleries in London. I was not turned away and sold a body of paintings right way with Archeus Fine Art, 3, Albermale Street, London. I was unhappy with the time I had to wait to get paid so I called The Rebecca Hossack Gallery. I showed my work at many art fairs with Rebecca from 2002-2010. I was not a listed Artist with this gallery, but nonetheless I was happy with the outcome.

For a time romantic inclinations have sometimes lead me down pathways that have been diversions from my art work. Whilst invaluable and enriching, they have not always furthered my work as an artist.  Following this and a period of self searching, I found a renewed passion for making art in 2016. Studio practice for me has been evolving quietly, yet successfully with sales of prints and paintings. The last year has been an opportunity to relaunch with a new website that holds available works and prints from the early 2000s to date. It is a privilege that my studio work, paintings, prints and drawings have a ready market, and demonstrates that there is a place for this Artist in a turbulent world.

1997-2000
University of Westminster – BA Hons Degree Mixed Media Art

1996-1997
University of Westminster – Fine Art Foundation Course

1991-1993
London Guildhall University – City & Guilds Interior Decoration & Soft Furnishing

Exhibited with Rebecca Hossack from 2002 – 2010

2002
The British Art Fair

2003
Art London SW3
Macmillan Cancer Relief, Mystery Artists Silent Auction, Tate Britain

2004
Art London, Angel Islington Design Centre

2005
Arundel Arts Festival, Tarrant  Street, Arundel, West Sussex

2009
Affordable Art Fair Battersea Park, London

2010
The Original Print Fair, London
TOLFA (tree of life charity for animals) Charity Art Auction, 2a Conway Street, London W1T

2020
Solo Show, The Victoria Institute, Tarrant Street, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9D