A figure wearing a denim jacket sits on chair, looking almost over their shoulder. They are surrounded by dark background. C… A figure wearing a denim jacket sits on chair, looking almost over their shoulder. They are surrounded by dark background. C… A figure wearing a denim jacket sits on chair, looking almost over their shoulder. They are surrounded … — artist's signature A figure wearing a denim jacket sits on chair, looking almost over their shoulder. They are surrounded by dark b… — edge view A figure wearing a denim jacket sits on chair, looking almost over their shoulder. They are surrounded by da… — shown hanging
A figure wearing a denim jacket sits on chair, looking almost over their shoulder. They are surrounded by dark background. C…
A figure wearing a denim jacket sits on chair, looking almost over their shoulder. They are surrounded by dark background. C…
A figure wearing a denim jacket sits on chair, looking almost over their shoulder. They are surrounded … — artist's signature
A figure wearing a denim jacket sits on chair, looking almost over their shoulder. They are surrounded by dark b… — edge view
A figure wearing a denim jacket sits on chair, looking almost over their shoulder. They are surrounded by da… — shown hanging
Painting by Cynthia Howard 6 Artwork Sold

Seeking Sisi

Oil, Canvas, Ready to hang

20.1in (W) x 32.5in (H) x 1.4in (D)

Certificate of Authenticity Included

Ready to hang

$7,070

Arrives 3–3 Oct

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Artwork Description

"In our lives we can play and be seen as many roles: parent, child, sibling, colleague, the workplace newbie, leader, lover, anarchist, healer… the list goes on.

When actor Sisi Stringer met me for a sitting I found myself not only taking in her physical appearance to paint her portrait, but also taking in her character. I knew Sisi from acting school (we were in different years) and I kept thinking back to the acting exercises learned there: explorations of all those ‘roles’ human beings play, subconsciously or not, during their lives, and all those idiosyncratic traits that create a personality.

This portrait speaks to my interests in the concept of self and links back to those associations of acting school. With the abstract figure over her shoulder, it alludes to the experience of the artist seeking the soul behind the person behind the actor, Sisi Stringer.

In a broader sense, this work reminds me to check in with myself and ascertain where I’m performing and where my soul begins: and to be aware of when I’m performing for fun (playing “dress ups” as it were) and when I might be engaging in self-betrayal. I wonder when others are doing the same, and to try to connect with the soul at the core of the person that will constantly be there even when our roles, and chapters of life, change."
- Cynthia Howard

Artist Bio
Photo of Cynthia Howard
Cynthia Howard 39 artworks | 2 Sold

Cynthia Howard is a contemporary artist working mostly in oil paints. Her concepts come from stream-of-consciousness and either manifest as the free-flowing lines in her colourful abstract figures, or as the surrealist undertones in her realistically painted compositions. Sometimes she combines realism with her abstract figures in one concept. Cynthia Howard’s work surrounds an interest in life philosophy, meaningful relationships and self actualisation. The portraits and subjects she portrays are treated with reverence, focussing on their self-ownership, strength and wholeness. Her paintings deal predominately with the richness of our internal psychological and emotional world and musings about how we radiate energy and intention in our outer world.

Commissions
Cynthia's studio is in Sydney