Cristine Balarine is a Brazilian-born contemporary artist based in the Aeolian Islands, Sicily. Holding a Master’s degree in Architecture from the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, her practice bridges the realms of fine art and architecture. With a background in Florentine Renaissance art history, Cristine’s work interrogates the intersection of space, memory, and perception, often rebelling against the rigid rationalism inherent in her architectural training. Her large-scale abstract compositions reflect a dynamic engagement with materiality and space, exploring the fluidity of form through expressive and immersive painting.

 

Cristine's architectural experience informs her artistic practice, having contributed to several high-profile cultural projects, including her role as a site associate architect for the Zayed National Museum of the UAE, designed by Lord Norman Foster. This extensive experience in the built environment continues to shape her work, which examines the influence of architecture on human perception and emotional experience.

 

Her work has been exhibited in international galleries and institutions, including Sotheby’s charity group exhibition and auction, the London Biennale, the Lighthouse Museum in the Aeolian Islands, the Florence Biennale, World Art Dubai, and Saatchi Art’s The Other Art Fair. Cristine’s paintings are represented in private collections across Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

 

The artist has recently established an open studio and pop-up gallery in the Aeolian Islands, Sicily, a a space for solo and collaborative projects as well as artistic exchange with both local and international artists.

 

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