The Architecture of Resilience
Artist Statement
My painting practice is an act of excavation. I view the canvas not as a surface to be covered, but as a site of collision between the inner world and the physical realm.
My work explores the concept of the 'primal self' and the parts of our identity that exist before language and beneath societal conditioning. Having navigated a life shaped by early displacement and the complex reconstruction of identity, I am fascinated by the tension between what is hidden and what is revealed. I use abstraction to give form to emotions that are often too vast or too ancient for words.
The process is intensely physical. Drawing on a background in elite athletics, I approach the canvas with kinetic energy, using my whole body to apply paint, scrape away layers, and build texture. This mimics the human experience of resilience: we build up, we break down, and we rebuild stronger. The resulting compositions are bold and unapologetic, characterized by visceral mark-making and vibrant color palettes that refuse to be ignored.
Ultimately, my work is a declaration of presence. In a world that often demands we shrink or conform, I paint to create space for radical authenticity. I invite the viewer to look past the surface and find their own reflection in the depth, chaos, and beauty of the struggle.
Artist Bio
Cristina Link is an American abstract artist whose work serves as a kinetic dialogue between the primal self and the physical world. Born in Guatemala and raised in New Jersey, Link’s practice is rooted in a lifelong investigation of displacement, identity, and the reconstruction of the self.
Link’s background is defined by a tension between rebellion and discipline. As an adoptee navigating a complex identity, she spent her early years seeking an outlet for a grief that had no words, a journey that took her from the wilderness of Vermont to the rigorous physical demands of athleticism. Today, that energy is transmuted onto the canvas. Her paintings are characterized by visceral mark-making and unapologetic color, functioning not just as images, but as evidence of resilience.
This intuitive, emotional approach is grounded in a strong academic foundation, holding a BFA from The School of Visual Arts (NYC) and a Master's degree in Art Education. Drawing on her history as a competitive athlete and licensed educator, Link infuses her studio process with a rigorous physicality, allowing each piece to emerge as an anchor of strength. Her work invites viewers to confront their own inner landscapes and embrace the power of radical authenticity.