Franco-British abstract artist Vanessa Bartel, started painting after completing her philosophy studies at La Sorbonne. Now based in Sydney, recent works draw from the themes of city living, observing the emotional detail of solitude, alienation, connection, and identity, represented via abstract cityscapes. Through these artworks she translates those themes and experiences, revealing evolving viewpoints, and inviting reflection on those subjects.

A central theme of her work is to explore our current social interactions, from simple observation, to our personal interpretations of lived experiences and relationships. In doing so, Bartel aims to analyse her own subconscious perceptions by grounding them in a tangible medium, reflecting the understanding that philosophy thrives on the collision of viewpoints and does not flow from an unchallenged monologue. Most paintings are done alla prima, driven by a desire to pin down a particular sentiment or emotion from one’s past, place, or thought, in its most spontaneous form. This recent series titled ‘Alone In The City’ draws on the themes of city solitude, intimate relationships, alienation, formative experiences, and identity, represented via abstract cityscapes, a body of work which will remain in progress and take many forms.