Chris Kirby: contemporary still life artist - old working boats & traditional still-life painting.

I follow the traditions of still-life painting with a semi-abstract and modernist sensibility, focusing on the placement and interplay of shapes and forms emphasised by surrounding flat planes of colour.

My coastal and maritime themed art includes: old wooden working boats, fishing huts and villages and fisherman at work, subjects that evoke a sense of attachment and nostalgia to coastal life over millennia.

The vistas of the North Norfolk coast where I live - sky, sea, dunes, salt marsh, inlets and beaches are governed by the tides and ever-changing light.

Working boats in particular, bobbing at anchor or beached high and dry on the sands, are a timeless element of this environment and man's connection with it - the essence of which I attempt to capture in my paintings.

I see myself as a creator of contemporary coastal art that conveys a connection with the sea and our maritime history. I also enjoy painting the occasional traditional still life subject.

It is always good to hear from galleries, collectors and existing or potential buyers. Please do not hesitate to contact me.

Studio visits are welcome by appointment. My studio is in the village of Hindringham, Norfolk, U.K.




Copyright: all photographs & images are copyright © Chris Kirby 2025