Christopher Blake, 1930 to 1986
Member Since July 2008
Artist Statement Christopher was born on 16th February 1930 in Shanghai, China. After spending his first year living in Shanghai, Christopher travelled with his family to England. After a six month stay in England during which time Christopher was introduced to his relatives in England, he returned to China, this time residing in the north east city of Tianjin.
Christopher and family travelled again to England at the beginning of the Second World War, and he quickly settled into English school life. After completing his schooling and a period of national service that took him through the Middle East and North Africa, Christopher was keen to return to the Far East, from where he had many enjoyable memories. This time, Christopher travelled to Sarawak where he took up a position within the Borneo Company which was a trading company exploiting business opportunities in Sarawak. During the time Christopher lived in Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, he would spend much of his time with local Dayak families, within the many longhouses in the local Sarawak jungle. Christopher’s interest in the Dayak’s local way of life, his fascination with the local flora and fauna brought about the start of his collection of art. Part of Christopher’s collection of paintings which includes pictures of live specimens of exotic orchids, wild flowers, fish, birds, and shells have remained entrusted into the care of the Kuching Museum where they continue to be exhibited within the air-conditioned gallery of the Old Museum Building.
Once he had completed his assignment with the Borneo Company, Christopher joined his twin brother George, who by this time had moved to Sydney, Australia. During his time in Australia, Christopher spent time working for Queensland Rail as a rail ganger, and whenever possible would spend his free time with George panning for gold, and mining for opal, sapphire and emerald in the Australian outback towns of Anakie, Emerald, Lightning Ridge, and Sofala. Christopher enjoyed fruitful finds during his mining excursions, and collected an array of gem stones including diamond, emerald, sapphire, and opal.
Some years later after working in New Zealand and Canada, Christopher returned to England. Sadly, shortly after his return to England, Christopher suffered a major stoke which left him with severe paralysis on the right-hand side of his body. After a long period of rehabilitation, Christopher spent many years carrying out voluntary work with the disabled at his local disability centre in the English town of Leighton Buzzard while also producing many illustrations of subjects ranging from animals and people to landscapes, and paintings of a semi-biblical nature.
Christopher was a devoted Christian and would regularly attend All Saints Church in Leighton Buzzard where he had many friends and admirers of his artistic skills.
Christopher died on 31st December 1986 after suffering from a second stroke, and entrusted his collection of art to his nephew in the hope that people would view and learn from the messages his illustrations portray.
A diverse collection of Christopher's paintings are available to view at his website www.cjblake.com and Christopher's family would welcome any feedback visitors to the site may have.
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