Chloë HoltRCA FRSA

In Petite Astra, I explore the enduring human instinct to look beyond the earthly and towards the infinite. Inspired by the rich red ochre walls and sculptural acanthus fronds of the Casa de Pilatos in Seville, the painting draws upon an ancient fresco of stars surrounding an upper window, together with the celestial form of a Sevillian processional star. Through abstraction, these architectural and devotional fragments become a meditation on aspiration, faith and the quiet wonder of looking upwards. For me, the painting reflects those moments when we are drawn to lift our eyes beyond the familiar, to contemplate the vastness of the heavens and perhaps discover something extraordinary by simply looking a little closer.

147 × 85 cm | Framed 170.5 × 110 cm Oil and mixed media on Arches Oil Paper

In moments of profound adversity, we are often forced to look past our perceived limits and navigate entirely unmapped territory. This intimate painting serves as my personal anchor for that journey. Grounded by the heavy, weathered textures of 17th-century tiles salvaged from Seville, the canvas carries the historical weight of the Latin motto PLVS VLTRA, transforming an old imperial slogan of conquest into a modern anthem for human resilience. Yet, survival requires more than just gritted determination; it requires hope. Rising above the grit of the earth, I have woven into the top of the canvas the celestial stars of a Sevillian Madonna’s Estrella crown. Together, these elements capture the delicate balance of our contemporary struggle: the grounded reality of enduring difficult times, beneath the quiet, guiding light that beckons us to keep moving further beyond.

46 × 31 cm | Framed 51 × 36 cm Oil, acrylic and walnut ink with gesso on board in a simple antique frame

In Avtvmni Copia, I explore the extraordinary abundance of nature as autumn reaches its fullest expression. The Latin title draws upon the classical notion of copia, symbolising plenty and prosperity throughout Renaissance art and allegory. An exuberant profusion of flowers emerges from a modest jug, capturing that fleeting moment when the garden offers its final splendour before winter. A celebration of nature’s generosity and the poignant beauty of its transience.

71 × 86 cm | Framed 104 × 120 cm Oil, acrylic and gesso on board in an ornate antique frame

In Stella Terrestris, I explore the relationship between the celestial and the earthly through objects rich in historical symbolism. A Spanish processional star rests alongside an 18th-century Manises lustreware dish, reflecting Valencia’s extraordinary Hispano-Moresque ceramic tradition. At its centre, a solitary egg evokes the ancient ovum mundi, or cosmic egg, symbolising the origins of life. Together, these objects become a contemplation of creation, faith and the enduring connection between the earthly and the divine.

62 × 82 cm | Framed 91 × 106 cm Oil and mixed media on Arches Oil Paper

In Solaris, a luminous lemon rests alongside a delicate branch of Solaris grapevine, both intrinsically connected to the warmth and life-giving presence of the sun. Drawing upon the historical symbolism of fruit and the vine, I explore themes of vitality, renewal and the cyclical passage of the seasons through the intimacy of a small still life.

21 × 35 cm | Framed 30.5 × 44 cm Oil, acrylic and gesso on board in an ebonised vintage frame