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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

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