The Stillness in Celia Paul’s Art

In an age characterized by the incessant buzz of screens and rapid information exchange, it’s a welcome relief to immerse ourselves in the serene world of visual art. While we have the splendid works of Morandi and Vermeer that encapsulate tranquil moments, much of contemporary art is often a riot of vibrant colors and expressive strokes. Yet, amidst this chaotic landscape emerges British artist Celia Paul, whose focus lies on intimate portrayals of her surroundings, whether that be a single chair, the sea, a window, or herself. Far from mere still lifes, her creations resonate with an inner vitality, capturing subjects that seem detached from reality. Predominantly, her color palette has remained muted and dark, reflecting an introspective journey through her art.

A Life Dedicated to Artistic Exploration

For over four decades, Paul has made her home in the same flat, painting the same familiar scenes—a chair, a bed, and the view outside her window. Her art often features her mother and sisters, portrayed with an expression that is neither overtly cheerful nor sorrowful. Instead, these figures mirror Paul’s own contemplative state during the act of creation. As she paints, there’s an intricate exploration of the soul, from the stillness of a chair to the weighted presence of her mother. Each piece seems to glow with an ethereal quality, a lingering essence that emanates from the canvas.

Recently, Mack Books released her comprehensive monograph titled *Celia Paul: Works 1975–2025*, spanning 544 pages and showcasing nearly 300 pieces of her work, primarily paintings. This publication is a rare tribute to a living artist and includes an array of essays from diverse voices, praising the vast emotional landscape present in Paul’s oeuvre. Notably, Hilton Als describes her work as a narrative comprised of “waves of consciousness,” revealing layers of story and emotion embedded in each stroke.

A Journey Through Time and Emotion

The monograph begins with Paul’s early work from when she was just 15 and traces her artistic evolution over six decades, culminating in her recent creations at 65. Beginning with *Sunflower Heads* (1975) and culminating in *The Sea, the Sea* (2024), her body of work often reflects her relationship with her mother and sister, Kate. Portrayals of her mother convey tenderness, depicting her in moments of quietude, hands clasped, and a reflective demeanor, embodying a profound bond. Paul has remarked on the prayer-like quality of her mother’s presence during sittings, emphasizing the intimate connection between artist and subject.

When questioned about painting her mother in 2024, Paul expressed a deep sense of loss, indicating that even after her passing in 2015, her mother’s influence permeates her art. The act of sitting became a silent dialogue, where presence took precedence over expectation, allowing the paintings to breathe their own life through focused dedication.

The Meditative Quality of Seascapes

Within Paul’s seascapes, the gentle ebb and flow of the waves evokes a meditative calm. These works, numerous alongside her self-portraits since 2015, encapsulate an intimate, searching quality. Clare Carlisle reflects on this unique relationship to the sea, emphasizing its representation of both tranquility and the perpetual motion of life.

Paul’s flower paintings, predominantly featuring white blooms such as Narcissi and Hyacinths, often symbolize renewal and emerging beauty. She reveals that her artistic focus on nature is reflective of her internal journey, aiming to convey the delicate fragrances of these flowers through her mark-making.

Personal Reflections and Transformation

In her writings, Paul acknowledges a potential hindrance in self-portraiture—that of slipping into narcissism. However, her self-exploration through paint has evolved, growing softer and more open over time. With light hues beginning to dominate her palette in recent years, she aims for her self-portraits to project a sense of resilience, embodying the essence of a survivor.

Influenced heavily by Proust, Paul finds parallels between her artistic practice and themes of time and memory, aiming to offer viewers an exploration of personal history and emotional truth. Having maintained relationships with prominent figures in the art world, including Lucian Freud, their absence now contributes to a sense of belonging in her work, embedded in the canvas as an ongoing narrative.

Moving Forward with Grace

In 2023, in her portrait *Painter Seated in her Studio*, Paul presents herself in a light, rose-colored smock against a similar backdrop, radiating a sense of peace and rooted grace. Her artworks invite the viewer into a reflective space, showcasing her vulnerability and openness. As she gracefully navigates through her experiences, her paintings emerge as compassionate reflections of self and memory—an evocative dialogue between artist and observer.

Celia Paul’s *Colony of Ghosts* is currently on display at Victoria Miro until April 17, 2025, while *CELIA PAUL: DIARIES* is showcased at the Hazlitt Holland-Hibbert Gallery until May 2, 2025.