Chrissandra Unger
Creative Artist
Artist’s Statement
Chrissandra Unger is a Canadian painter and accomplished pianist who believes that art and music have close ties; elements of rhythm, harmony and texture being equally present in each creative facet. Color represents melodic shape and tone, composition being primary in both.
After receiving her A.L.C.M. in piano from the London College of Music in England, she studied at Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design in Vancouver, BC for three years.
Chrissandra’s unique bas relief style developed over several years as a result of her passion for experimenting with an extensive variety of textured materials and various mediums. This time spent on testing trial and error “recipes” gave birth to a specific medium that is pliable when wet, yet durable and archival when dry. The black lines that design the image protrude giving the appearance that the piece is carved out of the board it is painted on.
Although she chooses specific themes and subject matters that are of personal interest to her, she believes the primary impact lies in her distinct technique.
Chrissandra sees art making as a process from start to finish and an experimentation in materials and creativity. Her work is part of private and corporate collections across Canada, the United States and internationally.
Chrissandra currently has a studio on Vancouver Island.
Framed Panel on Wood - Detail
Detail:
Personally made framed panels of mahogany plywood and kiln-dried fir built by the artist. Details of the textured work.
Textured Style - Detail
Solo Exhibitions
2010 September Girasolereale Art Gallery, Rome, Italy
2010 January Lions Bay Art Gallery, Lions Bay, BC
2009 October Lions Bay Art Gallery, Lions Bay, BC
2008 September "Spirit of the Trees" - Lions Bay Art Gallery, BC
2007 Aug- Sept "Monstra d'Arte" - Fiordo di Furore, Italy
2006 September "The North Shines Brightly" - Kirkland/Seattle, WA, USA
2004 September "Jazz It Up" - Acme Restaurant, Nanaimo, BC
2004 February "La Dolce Vita" - West End Gallery, Victoria, BC
2003 November "New Work" - Jenkins Showler Gallery, White Rock, BC
2003 March "The Complimentary Colors of Music" - Old School House, Qualicum, BC
2002 October Solo Show - West End Gallery, Victoria, BC
2000 November Point Of Art Gallery, Calgary
Murals
2007 September Furore, Italy. "le Barche di Furore". 6' x 4'
Group Exhibitions
2011 May Jenkins Showler Gallery - South Surrey, BC
2010 October Associazione Musei d’Arte Contemporanea Italiani
2009 April Downtown Art Walk, Abbotsford BC
2007 March New York Art Exhibitions, New York NY
2005 November "Pieces of Eight", Harrison Hot Springs Resort, Harrison BC
2005 August "Pieces of Eight", Outdoor Exhibition, Langley BC
2005 June Autumn Brook Artists Gallery, Vancouver BC
2004 June Spring Exhibition, Art Mode Gallery, Calgary AB
2004 May Spring Exhibition, Art On The Avenue, Westmount Quebec
2003 May "Come Celebrate Spring" Art Mode Gallery, Calgary AB
2003 May Outdoor Art & Garden Show, Woodland Gardens, Courtenay BC
2003 March Spring Show, West End Gallery, Edmonton AB
2003 March Spring Show, West End Gallery, Victoria BC
2002 August "Paradise Revealed" Nanaimo BC
2002 June "Canadian Garden Show" West End Gallery
2002 June ArtsFest 2002, Nanaimo BC
2002 June "Choosing Paradise" Nanaimo Art Gallery
2002 May "Sport Paradise", Nanaimo Art Gallery
2001 February Point of Art artists, Artspace Gallery, Calgary BC
2000 September Art Walk 2000, Calgary AB
1991 April Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design
Media
Art Used In Articles & Publications
The Actuary (December 2005)
US Catholic (December 2005)
MagazinArt Biennial Guide (2004-2005)
MagazinArt Biennial Guide (2004-2005)
Rhubarb Magazine Cover Music Issue (1999)
Newspaper Articles About Chrissandra
Wandering Educators (June, 2014)
Friday Magazine (February 2007)
Harbour City News (July 2002)
Nanaimo Daily News (February 2002)
Nanaimo News Bulletin (July 2003)
Peach Arch News (November 2003)
PQ News (March 2003)
The Post (2006)
Victoria Times Colonist (February 2003)
Magazin'Art Article “Musical Textures” Autumn, 2003 (English & French)
Media Coverage
2006 - "The Post". Abbotsford/Mission. "Neustaedter Inspired by Emily Carr"
2004/2005 - Magazin'Art Biennial Guide to Canadian Artists in Galleries
2003 - Magazin'Art. "Musical Textures"
2003 - Nanaimo News Bulletin. "The Artist Within"
2003 - Victoria Times Colonist: "She Followed Her Dreams To Success"
2002 - Global TV, BC. "Go! Magazine"
2002 - Harbour City News. "On the Trail of Great Art"
2002 - New V I TV. "New Day" Morning Show
2002 - Nanaimo Daily News: "Quick Sketches add up to Super Art"
2000 - New V I TV. "New Day" Morning Show
2000 - Calgary Art Magazine. "Making Use of Beeswax"
2000 - A-Channel TV "Big Breakfast" Show, Calgary