Curriculum Vitae
Grace Saint (they/xe)
b. 1998 lives and works in Margate
Artist Statement:
Avant garde contemporary Christian artist Grace Saint navigates their own faith deconstruction and the exploration of universal mysticism. Their practice is aimed at queer people or those who have otherwise felt ostracised by The Church aiming to impart a sense of peace and enlightenment through intimate encounters with divine Truth, rather than fostering the fear of God perpetuated by The Institution. Saint's body of work delves into various facets of religious discourse, including the examination of religious iconography, traditional ritual practices, and overarching themes such as redemption, piety, and the existential cycles of life and death. Saint often documents their performative works through photograms made during the ceremonial happenings whilst also engaging in painterly outcomes outside of the live works inviting audiences to engage with their profound explorations of faith whilst creating layered opportunities for viewers to have their own revelations of Truth.
Upcoming:
30th November George & Heart Christmas Market, Margate
30th November Salon Superstore, Cliftonville
13-19th December Sol/Sistere at Urban Symbolism, Margate
Current:
2024
2020
2017
Previous:
2024
2024
2024
2024
2024
2019-24
2022-23
2023
2022
2022
2020
2019-20
2019
2016-18
Exhibitions:
2024
Markets:
Cactus Prana, Margate
Education:
2023-25 European Fine Art Masters, The Margate School/ESA, Margate/Dunkerque
2024 Summer School, Anise Gallery, London
2017-20 1st Class Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Digital Film & Screen Arts at UCA, Farnham
2016-17 UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at University for the Creative Arts, Farnham
Press:
2024 Antlers Issue 01
2020 Featured on @SadGrads
2020 Perpetual Existence Newsletter
2020 Asking For It Newsletter
2016 Artist of the Week, Cult Clash
Assistant Curator & Social Media Manager at The Gallery of Urban Symbolism, Margate
Guest Speaker On Cruciforms at Food For Thought, Union Church, Margate
BRINK Residency with Margate Pride at Ark, Margate
Activity Leader at Woodcraft Folk, Margate
Curator of To Gather Ash & Light at Salon, Margate
Videographer & Social Media Manager at KaneFM
Founder & Facilitator of Critters Crit Group
Assistant to Kate Street in 'Body as Language' workshop, at UCA Farnham
Assistant to Tobin Prinz, at Art Space Portsmouth Open Studios
Curator at ZERO, Zero Carbon Guildford
Co-Founder & Curator at Something Presented Exhibition
Co-Curator at Black Box Project Space, Farnham
Assistant Curator at AMP Gallery, London
Co-Founder & Music Journalist at YouthPleasure
Content Creator at Food for Thought, Union Church, Margate
Videographer & Live Cams at Jellytree Productions eg Notting Hill, Haslemere Fringe
Videographer Freelance eg Reading Fest, Soundcity
The Darkroom (Solo) at The Gallery of Urban Symbolism, Margate
Cruciforms (Solo) at Union Church, Margate
Antlers at Photobook Cafe, London
Hidden at The Basement, The Gallery of Urban Symbolism, Margate
BRINK (Margate Pride Art Map) at Ark, Margate
One-of-One at The Margate Gallery, Margate
Summer Pop Up at Hold, Ramsgate
Close Up at The Margate Gallery, Margate
Window Show at The Old Primark, Margate
May Sale at Hold Creative Space, Ramsgate
Untitled at Hold, Ramsgate
To Gather Ash & Light at Salon, Margate
Cave Christ (Solo) at Union Church, Margate
The Unfinished Art Show at Pie Factory, Margate
Enstent at The Margate Gallery, Margate
Ratacombs (Solo) at Saint's private cave, Margate
Scream of the Butterfly at Davies Gilder, Guildford
Communion at ZERO, Guildford
UCA Graduate Show, Virtual Exhibition
Something Presented As Culturally Essential, Virtual Exhibition
Milieu? at James Hockey, Farnham
Portrait Series at Linear Gallery, Farnham
Graduate Show at UCA, Farnham
Print Or Be Damned at Elaine Thomas, Farnham
2019
2018
2017
2023
2022
2020
Testimonials
Grace Saint's practice includes performance, sculptural installation, painting, photography, experimental video, and curatorial projects. Their work frequently explores the archetypal and symbolic accounts of ritual in Judeo-Christian religion with a particular interest in ways these echo with traditional cultures and spiritual practices throughout the world. Stylistically their work is influenced by and draws on the powerful iconography of their Catholic upbringing that include heightened sensibility in the use of light and use of iconography associated with the Catholic faith. The artists intention is to use their art to contribute to on-going critique of what constitutes an archetypal, transformative, religious experience within dominant Western religion.
- Professor Kathleen Rogers
Grace’s curiosity is extremely endearing. While the core themes of their work have a consistency, each iteration of their ideas are developed through research and continuous questioning. We want to congratulate Grace’s honesty with grappling with the difficult area of contemporary religion and divinity.
- The Margate School
Once Grace had been introduced to community-led organisation KaneFM, xe has and continues to have, a remarkable impact on the team. Grace has worked successfully on various arts projects with one of the lead coordinators and amongst a team of other contributors. To me, Grace has demonstrated a level of competence and creative-innovative thinking as well as practice, that can truly contribute value to any organisation. Xe endeavours to go ‘above and beyond’, where there is no monetary reward rather a social one at Kane. Grace fully embodies and understands the core values of working for the purpose of social good.
- Kaya Mahdavieh, KaneFM
Grace's ability to run [the multidisciplinary crit group] Critters is outstanding. They work very hard to organise both meetings and participants so that everyone gains as much as they can from each meeting. During these crit groups, they offer support where needed and a welcoming space where ideas can be shared freely. They are incredibly active during meetings, always offering informed ideas as well as recommendations that are relevant to each member.
- Scarlett Hope-Gates, Critters participant
Grace is a multi skilled artist, curator and writer, who consistently organises and facilitates arts events while also developing their own practice. Religion, iconography and spirituality is the thematic undercurrent to the artworks which manifest as anything from paintings and sculptures to performances and installations. Grace's works are considered, asking the viewer to reflect on themselves in the context of religious or spiritual structures that may surround us. Drawing on art history as well as contemporary works, their knowledge and eye for curation is broad, which is proven in their delivery of several successful curatorial projects.
- Ellen Ball