Celia Paul
"My Mother", 1994
Ink and pastel on paper
30 ½ x 22 inches (77.5 x 55.9 cm)

Selected by Hilton Als

Celia Paul (b. 1959, Trivandrum, India) is a British painter known for her intimate, contemplative works that explore the emotional depths of portraiture and landscapes. Paul’s art is rooted in her close relationships with her subjects, often portraying family members, close friends, and herself. Her portraits, particularly the long-running series of her mother (1977–2007) and more recent depictions of her sisters, reflect a deep spirituality and attention to detail. Her self-portraits engage in a thoughtful exploration of the dual roles of artist and subject, capturing the tension between self-possession and introspection.

Paul’s works also extend to evocative landscapes and interiors, often featuring places she is closely connected to, including  the central London landmarks visible from the windows of her studio. Her seascapes are inspired by her childhood in north Devon, where her father led the Lee Abbey religious community. Through her depictions of water, air, and light, Paul captures fleeting moments infused with the melancholic passage of time. Yet, for the artist, solace can be found in the consoling beauty of nature and in the flow of time that connects us all.

Her work has been exhibited internationally, with major solo shows at the Yale Center for British Art, USA (2018), The Huntington, USA (2019), and Gallery Met, New York, USA (2015–2016), among others. Paul's paintings are held in numerous prestigious collections, including the British Museum, UK, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, USA, the National Portrait Gallery, UK, the Rubell Family Collection, USA and the Yale Center for British Art, USA. In addition to her painting career, she is an accomplished author, having published Self-Portrait (2019) and Letters to Gwen John (2022).