Christian Furr

Furr became the youngest artist to have ever officially painted Queen Elizabeth II, when in 1995 – at the age of twenty eight – he was invited by the Queen to paint her portrait at Buckingham Palace. The work was commissioned by and hangs at the Royal Overseas League, St James, London.

His new portrait featuring Thomas and Melissa van Straubenzee was unveiled this year at the Chelsea Arts Club. Furr recently collaborated with neon Artist Chris Bracey to create the ‘Staying Alive’ collection www.stayingaliveneon.com. Artwork from Christian Furr features in the permanent collection at 45 Park Lane – the third hotel in the UK from the Dorchester Collection.

In 2012 Furr curated the inaugural Art exhibition ‘Liverpool Love’ featuring some of the countries leading and emerging artists at the New Museum of Liverpool in aid of the childrens hospice Claire House.

Other notable recent portraits include the burlesque star Dita von Teese, the late HRH Crown Prince Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor for Westminster Cathedral and Tim Henman (for Robinsons). Christian has appeared on several television shows judging and teaching Art and written a book, entitled ‘Take Art’.

In June 2004 the artist collected an AoC Gold Award at the House Of Commons, given to further education college alumni who have gone on to achieve excellence in their chosen field. Former winners include Jamie Oliver, Betty Boothroyd and Jimmy Choo.

Born in Heswall, Wirral in 1966. He lives in London with his wife Emma and three daughters.

He has exhibited around the world and at shows and galleries including the Saatchi Gallery in 2010 when he acted as Judge and curator for the ‘Art of Giving’, The Royal Society of Portrait Painters, The National Portrait Gallery and the Royal Watercolour Society. He is currently on the council of the Chelsea Arts Club and was recently appointed to the committee of the British Inspiration Awards.

SELECTED COLLECTIONS

HRH Duke of Edinburgh, The Ritz London, 45 Park Lane (Dorchester Collection – London, Jerry Hall, Britvic, GE, Michael Caine, The Denham Estate

AWARDS

2007 – Guest Speaker, London Best Learners Awards, House of Commons
2005 – MCCA Best Award- Robinsons Commission
2004 – AoC Gold Award, House of Commons
1991 – Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Scholarship

SELECTED COMMISSIONS

2014 -Thomas Van Straubenzee and Lady Melissa Percy
2014 – Dita Von Teese
2008 – HRH Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz
2005 – The Big Paint, Robinsons – Robinsons commissioned the artist to produce a commemorative work of Art featuring Tim Henman and Fred Perry for Wimbledon. The queuing public recreated the image on a giant 16ft x 9ft canvas at Wimbledon. ‘The Great Draw’ won The Best Award for ‘Best & Most Effective Long Term Communication Campaign’ at the MCCA Awards (Marketing Communications Consultants Association) 2006
2002 – Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, Westminster Cathedral
2002 – Bishops O’Donoghue & Stack, Westminster Cathedral
2002 – Sir Donald Irvine, President General Medical Council
2001 – Professor Robert Shaw, President RC of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians
2000 – Dr Robert Kendall OBE, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
1999 – John Dougill, Chief Executive; Institution of Structural Engineers
1998 – Roger Sainsbury MA F.Eng F.I.C.E President, Institution of Civil Engineers
1997 – Dr Lotte Newman CBE, FRCGP, President Royal College of General Practitioners
1997 – Noel and Leslie Botham; French House
1995 – Queen Elizabeth II; Royal OverSeas League
1993 – Maneck Dalal, Chairman; ROSL
1990 – Professor of Microbiology, Leicester University

EDUCATION

Kingston College – BTec Graphic Design
De Montfort University – 1st Class Degree in Fine Art
Wirral Metropolitan College – Foundation Course

PUBLICATIONS

‘Take Art’ – John Blake Publishing 2008
‘The Lost Art’ – John Blake Publishing 2007

Read More about Christian

www.christianfurr.com