Cherylene's art explores the intricate layers of human identity, emotion, and presence through the timeless medium of oil paint. Working in figurative realism, I create intimate,psychologically resonant portraits that occupy the space between the visible and the hidden—between surface and emotional depth.
At the heart of her practice is a deep interest in emotional authenticity. She sees the
human figure not just as a form, but as a vessel for narrative, symbolism, and
introspection. Her paintings often depict subjects in moments of stillness or
transition—reclining, floating, gazing—poised between realities. These ambiguous
states echo the inner complexities we so often withhold.
She is particularly drawn to how we present ourselves in the digital age. Social media encourages performance: idealised identities and curated perfection. Yet behind these polished façades are stories of insecurity, vulnerability, and longing. Her work seeks to reveal what lies beneath. Using oil’s capacity for layering, scumbling, and glazing, she builds and obscure the image over time, embracing accidents and allowing meaning to emerge through the process.
Objects such as antique swim caps, theatrical garments, and symbolic props act as
visual metaphors—evoking timelessness and emotional resonance beyond specific
place or period. Paired with atmospheric colour and softly rendered space, these
elements invite stillness, ambiguity, and reflection.
Ultimately, she aims to create paintings that are both visually immersive and emotionallylayered—works that invite the viewer into a suspended moment, part of a broader and unfolding narrative. Each piece is a space to contemplate identity, memory, and the quiet truths we carry beneath the surface.