Artist Statement
Cynthia Howard is a contemporary artist based in Sydney, Australia working mostly in oil paints. Her concepts come from stream-of-consciousness and either manifest as the free-flowing lines in her colourful abstract figures, or as the surrealist undertones in her realistically painted compositions. Sometimes she combines realism with her abstract figures in one concept. Cynthia Howard’s work surrounds an interest in self determination and touches on the subjects of life philosophy, psychology, and personal to interpersonal relationships. Her paintings deal predominately with the richness of our internal world and musings about how we radiate energy and intention to our outer world.
BIOGRAPHY
Cynthia Howard (she / her) Creating art on Gadigal and Wangal land of the Eora nation.
Cynthia Howard (b. 1987) is of Indonesian and European descent and currently she works in Sydney. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Art (Visual Art) and a Bachelor of Fine Art (Acting). Keenly interested in human relationships and storytelling, she has exhibited internationally and is represented by Actor agent Management 11.
Cynthia Howard is passionate about curating safe spaces and allowing individuals to write and rewrite the narrative of who they are. For Cynthia Howard, the arts offer opportunities to explore different articulations of self, humanity and opportunities to reflect on the qualities of one’s life. Empowerment is found in exploring these themes as they embrace our dimensionality, acknowledge our relationship to physical forms (our appearance, presentation and possessions etc) and champion our inner spiritual and psychological being (the later often being often overlooked and undervalued in contemporary society).
Her artwork is informed by the belief that if we engage in practices that hold space for self curiosity, acceptance and growth we have more tools to hold space for the individuals in our wider community, and therefore develop healthy relationships and nurture communities marked by real connection.
Portrait Art Prize Finalist
Selected for Publication in '100 Emerging Artworks of 2023' a "collection of the top 100 emerging artworks, all masterfully created by talented women artists from around the globe".
Gallery Panel feature with words by Anna Curnuck, Gallery Director of Sibu Gallery; and Sophie Vander, Director, Curatorial + Co.
Leading an illustration workshop at the Gallery of Modern Art, Australia.
Public speaking at GoMA
Feature in 'Art Edit' Magazine 2022
Bluethumb Art Prize 2022 Portrait Finalist
CV
Bachelor of Visual Art. 2007
Bachelor of Fine Art (Acting). 2015
At 20 years old Cynthia Howard represented Australia with her filmed live illustration work in the International Digital Art Exhibition which toured Japan, China and Australia
Guest Artist at the Future Beauty exhibition, Gallery of Modern Art
Exhibited locally and internationally
Curated exhibitions at Jugglers Art Space, Metro Arts, 2High Festival (Powerhouse), Brisbane Emerging Arts Festival and at Space Furniture for Indesign, Campana Brothers, and Jeffrey Bernett