Christine Baxter
Artwork for Christine Baxter
Details
How would you describe the work you do and why?
I use the human and animal form to explore emotional response. Subtle shifts in expression, gesture and balance can alter meaning. I aim to create sculptures that engage the viewer on a direct, instinctive level.
For you what does being an artist mean?:
For me, the representational aspect is only the vehicle. What I am working towards is an engagement and emotional response from the viewer with my work. This is my concept: human empathy. Whilst making a piece, I am consciously trying to understand the emotions I have towards it, hoping for a similar dialogue and emotional response from the viewer. I try to convey peace and tranquillity in the beauty of the form. I hope that the viewer will be affected emotionally whilst looking at my work. Once you have the physicality of the clay and the likeness of the model in hand then it becomes interesting. How we all read instinctively the angle of the mouth the tension in the brow, the eyes... tiny manipulations can create different emotions in the viewer. Not only are you dealing with weight and gravity, tension, poise, fluidity and solidity, but the language of the body. Without emotion, the beauty doesn’t live. As human beings, we are all experts in reading human body language. A smile is universal! The best figurative work has the ability to affect the viewer emotionally. It is successful if it gets you in the guts.
Describe what you call yourself/your practice?:
I am a sculptor. My work is figurative and representational. I work mainly in clay, wax, plaster and cast into bronze, resins and ceramics.
Your practice & activities include e.g workshops, teaching:
I have 3 studios at Court Robert Arts, and there is an extensive programme of workshops and teaching opportunities that I am involved in, listed on the Court Arts website.
CV & Education, relevant & leading to your artistic practice:
I was classically trained, having studied Sculpture and Art History at Camberwell School of Arts, London, in the 1980s. I spent 20 years working in the film industry before opening my own studios.
Exhibitions in the last 3 years:
The Affordable Garden Art Exhibition @ Showborough House Sculpture Garden, Twyning, Tewkesbury, GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
https://www.showborough.com
Oxfordshire Artworks @ Cool Contours, Warden Hill Farm, Chipping Warden, Banbury, OXFORDSHIRE.
https://www.coolcontoursvenue.co.uk
Summer Sculpture Exhibition @ The Wye Valley Sculpture Garden, Tintern, South East Wales.
https://www.wyevalleysculpturegarden.co.uk
Creating Spaces 2025, by The Cotswolds Sculptors Association @ The Gardens at Miserden, near Stroud, GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
https://www.cotswoldsculptorsassociation.com
https://www.cotswoldsculptorsassociation.com/sculptors/christine-baxter
Sculpture at Beaulieu @ the National Motor Museum, Palace House, Beaulieu, New Forest, HAMPSHIRE.
https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/sculpture-at-beaulieu/
Art & Sculpture in the Vineyard @ High Clandon Estate Vineyard, off Blakes Lane, East Clandon, SURREY.
https://www.highclandon.co.uk/art-sculpture-in-the-vineyard-2025/
Altered States Open Air Sculpture Exhibition @ Shaw House, Church Road, Newbury, BERKSHIRE.
https://alteredstatessculptures.co.uk/
Sculpture Exhibition @ Avebury Manor Garden, Avebury, Marlborough, WILTSHIRE.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/avebury
h.Art Hereford Art Week @ 2 Stable Cottages (Venue 110), Bromesberrow, Ledbury, HEREFORDSHIRE.
https://www.h-art.org.uk/explore/venue/hart-bromesberrow
https://www.h-art.org.uk/explore/artist/christine-baxter
Your gallery outlets/stockists:
A2 Gallery
80 High Street Wells, Somerset BA5 2AJ
www.a2gallery.co.uk
Bluestone Gallery
5 Castle Street, Hay on Wye, HR3 5DF.
https://www.bluestonegallery.com
Le Souk Gallery
Burford Garden Company, Shilton Road, Burford, OX18 4PA.
https://www.burford.co.uk/pages/burford-gallery
https://www.burford.co.uk/collections/sculpture/products/listening-hare
Coldharbour Gallery
111 Coldharbour Road, Westbury Park, Bristol, BS6 7SD.
https://coldharbourgallery.co.uk
https://coldharbourgallery.co.uk/galleries/christine-baxter
The Oriel Cric Gallery
Beaufort Street, Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1BN.
https://visitcrickhowell.wales
https://visitcrickhowell.wales/cric-centre/gallery
The Oriel Newport Gallery
5 Bridge Street, Newport, Pembrokeshire, SA42 0TB.
https://www.thegallery-yroriel.com
Fisherton Mill
108 Fisherton Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP2 7QY.
https://fishertonmill.co.uk
Gallery 61, The Wadham Trading Company
59 Long Street, Tetbury, GL8 8JA/Cirencester, United Kingdom, GL7 2NY.
https://www.facebook.com/WadhamTradingCompany
Court Robert Arts (our own artist studios and sculpture garden)
Tregare, Raglan, Monmouthshire, NP15 2BZ.
https://www.courtrobertarts.co.uk