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The figures in Cassandra Christensen Barney's paintings have the grace of angels, the enigmatic gazes of sphinxes and a history stretching back through millennia of mythology and literature. Inspired by portraiture of the sixteenth century, Barney has brought us such portraits as "Demetria," "Eve" and "Pandora." This piece, however, "My Fate is Not Your Fate," draws on the collective unconscious - what we all share and what is common to all of us.
The two women in "My Fate is Not Your Fate" represent the fork in a lifelong road. As children, they may have shared similar experiences, but in adulthood their paths take different directions. Although they stand beside one another as they have for years, their postures indicate alternative possibilities. "We all may share many common threads but, says Barney, "we don't all have to want the same thing."
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Cassandra Christensen Barney was born and raised in Orem, Utah. She received
her Master’s degree in Fine Arts from Brigham Young University in 2000. “I've
had a passion for the craft of the portrait since I was a child. As a young
girl, I visited museums around the world with my father, collecting postcards
adorned with 16th century art. Exploring these simple images captured my
imagination, unlocking a world of discovery. I love the art of storytelling,
the layers of symbolism, and would create my own stories of these quiet women,
making the paintings my own. Today I paint portraits that share my passion for
storytelling while revealing my personal journey of transition and discovery.”
Christensen Barney’s images capture the souls of heroines, everyday women who
have found strength and personal victory in their diverse experiences. Her
portraits carry a range of emotion reflective of the events that have shaped
their character. Ambiguous and poignant, Cassandra’s women find strength in
their femininity. “They are beautiful and strong, because of the complexity of
their feminine nature”
“My portraits may not always feature the outwardly pretty or majestic, but
they all share a quiet beauty that asks us to listen and to feel. My work
reflects my personal narrative, yet my intent as an artist is to create an
experience that will allow the viewers to bring new interpretations to the
symbols, creating their own narrative and own sense of understanding and
place.”
Christensen Barney and her father, James C. Christensen, delight in working
together. “My Dad inspires me to experiment with my own style, media and
interpretation. Painting together in his studio, we have developed a wonderful
synergy, critiquing each other and encouraging each other to experiment with
colors, surfaces and textures.”
Life is truly art at Christensen Barney’s home as her husband is also an
artist and teacher. Her three daughters enjoy creating along side their
parents. In addition to her children, Barney encourages many others to explore
the world of art. She taught at The Waterford School for four years and part
time at BYU. The Barney family will relocate to Vancouver, Canada this fall
where her husband Dan will pursue his doctorate in curriculum studies at UBC.
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