Kirstin Mackinnon

I am a figurative and portrait painter with a background in vision sciences, and a continued interest in visual perception, particularly facial perception. As we are so attuned to faces, subtle differences in facial features can render a sitter unrecognisable. Therefore, capturing a likeness in portraiture can be elusive. I believe that this challenge ensures every painting is fresh, exciting and rewarding. I take inspiration from traditional painters throughout history, such as Sargent, as well as contemporary artists such as Guillermo Lorca and France-Lise McGurn. I work almost exclusively from life, which is a useful method for exploring the three-dimensionality of a sitter’s form and gaining an insight into their life through conversation. Human relationships and societal norms are an important aspect of my work. My most recent work aims to address the historical and current gender imbalance in the art world by encouraging the viewer to question the way men and women are viewed, represented and portrayed in art, as well as the value we place on artists of different genders.