Created during the global pandemic of 2020–2021, this body of work reflects a period of immediacy, introspection, and adaptation within Christian Hook’s practice. Produced alongside his Painting the Invisible project and live broadcasts for Sky Arts, these works capture a moment in which time, isolation, and human connection took on new meaning.
Working under constraint, Hook embraced a more direct and responsive approach—often completing portraits within limited timeframes. Studies such as Will Young — 2 Hour Study, created live for Portrait Artist of the Week, demonstrate a heightened focus on presence and observation, while a series of self-portraits made during isolation offer a more personal reflection on physical and psychological states.
Alongside these works, paintings such as Jasmine and Zero Gravity — Portrait of Richard Branson extend this period into broader explorations of perception and perspective. Whether grounded in stillness or shaped by shifting viewpoints, these works collectively capture a time of uncertainty, resilience, and creative evolution.
2020 · 6 works
Jasmine · Oil on board
