Christian Hook

Christian Hook (b. 1971) is a celebrated contemporary artist from Gibraltar, renowned for his distinctive approach to portraiture and his exploration of time, motion, and perception. Hook’s art gained widespread attention when he won the Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year in 2014, with his striking portrait of actor Alan Cumming. His work is known for its innovative use of multiple layers of transparent paint, creating dynamic perspectives that evoke the fluidity of time and movement.

Born in Gibraltar, Hook studied illustration at Middlesex University in the UK before becoming a part-time lecturer at the Royal College of Art in London. Over the years, his portraits have garnered critical acclaim, with notable sitters including Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, Sir Richard Branson, and the Maharaja of Jodhpur. His works have become permanent fixtures in major collections, including the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, the National Galleries of Scotland, and several international institutions.

In addition to his celebrated portraiture, Hook has engaged with diverse themes in his art. His 2018 ‘KI’ series, inspired by his travels through Japan, explored the intersection of ancient calligraphy traditions and the concept of ‘Chi’. His latest work, part of the ‘Painting the Invisible’ series, delves into the neurological phenomenon of synaesthesia and features contributions from Nobel Prize-winning scientists.

Throughout his career, Hook has received several prestigious accolades, including the Freedom of the City of Gibraltar in 2017 and recognition from the National Galleries of Scotland, where his portrait of Alan Cumming was selected as one of 100 masterpieces in their collection, alongside works by Botticelli, Rembrandt, and Matisse.

A full-time artist, Hook continues to challenge the boundaries of portraiture and figurative painting, creating thought-provoking pieces that invite the viewer to consider the unseen moments that occur between events.