Biography

At the age of 28, Christian Furr became the youngest artist to officially paint Queen Elizabeth II.

The portrait was commissioned for the Royal Overseas League in London, after the Queen herself chose him, from a short-list of artists. It was painted in the Yellow Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace and now hangs at the Royal Overseas League Headquarters in St. James, London.

Christian Furr was awarded the UK's prestigious AoC Gold Award for 2004 in connection with his formare art college Wirral Metroplitan College. he received the award at the House of Commons for achievements in his field since leaving college.

Christian has a passion for Painting, judges work has taught Art to Celebrities on Television.

Born in Heswall, Wirral in 1966. He studied at Wirral Metropolitan College, Merseyside and De Montfort University,Leics, where he graduated with a first class degree in Fine Art. He lives in Richmond-upon-Thames with his wife, Emma, and three daughters, Colette, Daphne and Anika and has a studio in Kingston-upon-Thames. He has exhibited extensively around the world and at shows and galleries in London, including the Mall, Francis Kyle and the National Portrait Gallery.

"His Queen is elegant and regal, but around the mouth and eyes plays a slight, suggestive flicker of a smile…
such an intriguing work." Mail on Sunday

"A gentle, almost classical painting." Evening Standard.

TV and Radio appearances Art Car Boot Fair, Richard & Judy 2007; Brush with Fame ITV Oct-Nov 2005; 'This Morning' Oct 2005; Artschool BBC2 Sept 2005; 'Kept' VH1 May/June 2005; : 'Outlook' BBC World Service radio discussion 2004; 'A Wife for William', Princess Productions for Channel Four 2004; Richard and Judy, Cactus TV for Channel Four 2003; British Satellite News 2003/2; 'The Biggest Breakfast Ever' Channel Four 2001; 'Good Morning Summer' BBC One 1995

Selected Group Exhibitions: Contemporary Masters, Crown Hotel, Harrogate 2007; Edinburgh Art Fair 2007 Love Your Art stand; Art at Golden Square 2007 Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Mall Galleries 2006; Art of Love, Arndean Gallery, Cork Street, London 2004; LondonArt, Jak Gallery, Hoxton, London 2003 'The Archive' The Untitled Gallery, Hampstead, London 2003 CISAC2002 World Congress Exhibition for DACS, Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London SW1. BP National Portrait Award, National Portrait Gallery 1999; Royal Society of Portrait Painters Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London 1994; Windsor & Newton Young Artist's Award/ROI Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London 1993; Artfair 1993/4, Francis Kyle Gallery, London; Royal Overseas League Annual Open Exhibition, St James, 1992/3; East Meets West, Smiths Gallery, London 1991; John Players National Portrait Award, National Portrait Gallery 1989; Venice Show, Loseby Gallery, Leicester 1988.

Solo Exhibitions: Untitled Gallery, Hampstead, London 2003 Beatrice Royal Gallery, Hampshire, UK 2001;Royal Overseas League, London 2001; La Sinfonia, Key West, Florida 2000; Royal College of General Practitioners, London 1997; Royal Overseas League, London 1993; The Duffer of St George, London 1993; The Tricycle Gallery, London 1993.

Awards and Publications: Daily Mail, Paint the Queen Competition 2006- Judge;'The Lost Art' John Blake Publishing 2005; Association of Colleges Gold Award 2004; 'Briefing' 2004;:'Who's Who of Art' 2004; 'The Art of Love' The Times 2004, 'Objects of Desire' The London Magazine, 2003 ; National Portrait Gallery exhibited painting featured in Art Review 1999. Interviewed about Queen portrait in Artists and Illustrstors Magazine 1998. Painting of Queen Elizabeth II featured and interviewed in The Evening Standard, The Sun, The Mail on Sunday, The Daily Express, Majesty and Gente Magazine (Italy). Interviewed on Good Morning Summer BBC One. Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Scholarship 1991. Featured artist in 'Painting by Diana Constance (Harper Collins) 1995. Featured artist in 'Introduction to Oils' (Dorling Kindersly) 1993. Featured artist in Artist Magazine 1991.

Selected Commissions: Tim Henman 2006; Robinsons 70 yrs on Centre Court 15 x 6ft Painting at Wimbledon 2005: Alun Cathcart and Debbie simmons 2004; Gered Mankowitz 2004; Dame Lesley Southgate, President of the Royal College of General Practitioners, London 2003; Cardinal Murphy O'Connor, Westminster Cathedral 2002 Bishop Stack, Bishop O'Donoghue, Westminster Cathedral 2002. General Medical Council portrait commission of Sir Donald Irvine, President 2002. Royal College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians portrait commission of Professor Robert Shaw, President 2001. Royal College of Psychiatrists portrait commission of Dr. Robert Kendell, President, 2000. Private commission Mrs Judith Ross, Dublin 1999. Institution of Structural Engineers portrait commission of John Dougill, Chief Executive 1999. Institution of Civil Engineers portrait commission of Roger Sainsbury 1998. Royal College of General Practitioners portrait commission of Dr Lotte Newman 1997; French House portrait commission of Noel and Leslie Botham 1997: Private commission Mrs Linda Hunter 1996. .Royal Overseas League portrait commission of Queen Elizabeth II 1995; ROSL portrait of Maneck Dalal 1993; Leicester University portrait commission 1990.

Education: De Montfort University BA(Hons) - Fine Art - First Class Wirral Metropolitan College , Wallasey- Foundation Course
Kingston College, Surrey - BTEC Graphic Design

All official portraits can be viewed by appointment through contacting the relevant institutions

Art enquiries: studio@christianfurr.com

Media related enquires: Kate Douglas tel: 0207 985 1985
Princess Talent Management
Whiteley's Centre
151 Queensway
London W2 4YN

Licensing enquiries: DACS T: +44 (0)20 7336 8811
Design and Artists Copyright Society
33 Great Sutton Street
London EC1V 0DX
www.dacs.org.uk

Studio visits by appointment

chelsea arts club gerrys colony rooms

'Life is a lovely word'
- Colette Furr

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