Christina McPhee: Layers of Landscape and Memory

Christina McPhee’s artistic practice is fundamentally connected to a deep respect for place—specifically, the ancestral lands of the Chumash and Salinan peoples in Southern California. Her artwork refuses to settle for simple depiction; instead, she crafts intricate visual narratives that investigate site specificity and delve into the multifaceted nature of memory, resulting in arresting drawings, paintings, and video installations. Born in Los Angeles in 1954, McPhee’s artistic journey commenced with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Scripps College in Claremont, California, followed by an MFA from Boston University College of Fine Arts where she studied under the influential Philip Guston—a connection that undeniably shaped her aesthetic sensibilities and instilled within her a profound appreciation for tonal abstraction. McPhee distinguishes herself through meticulous observation and experimentation. She painstakingly analyzes geological formations, atmospheric conditions, and subtle shifts in light – elements which become inseparable components of her artworks. Drawing inspiration from Guston’s expansive canvases and his daring exploration of color palettes, McPhee adopts a technique characterized by dense layering and textural manipulation. Her drawings often utilize graphite and charcoal to capture the contours of landscapes with remarkable accuracy, mirroring Guston's masterful control over form and surface texture. Simultaneously, her paintings incorporate encaustic wax alongside pigment—a medium renowned for its ability to fuse color and texture into durable surfaces, creating a palpable sense of materiality that echoes Guston’s sculptural approach. This deliberate process embodies McPhee’s conviction that art should communicate not merely what is seen but also how it feels – encapsulating the very essence of an environment. Her participation in Documenta 12 (2007) and the Bucharest Biennale (2008) solidified her position as a prominent voice within contemporary artistic discourse. These exhibitions underscored McPhee’s dedication to confronting pressing environmental concerns through artistic inquiry, demonstrating her willingness to engage with critical dialogues concerning representation and perception. Furthermore, she has garnered recognition from prestigious institutions such as the American University Museum in Washington, D.C., where her artwork—particularly “Canyon Variations #4” and “Cloudfoot Kilauea”—has been celebrated for its evocative portrayal of California’s geological heritage. Her video installations have graced festivals like Videoformes in Clermont-Ferrand, France and Open Space, showcasing her versatility as an artist across diverse mediums. McPhee's artistic evolution has been marked by a consistent pursuit of innovation and conceptual depth. She actively engages with pressing social issues, translating complex ideas into compelling visual forms—a testament to her commitment to fostering meaningful conversations about our relationship with the natural world. Her work reflects a humanist perspective rooted in an understanding of how landscapes shape human experience and memory, aligning her artistic vision with broader explorations of cultural identity and environmental stewardship. Christina McPhee continues to inspire artists and scholars alike, cementing her legacy as a significant contributor to the ongoing dialogue concerning art’s role in shaping our perception of place and time.