Christian Hook is a contemporary artist celebrated for his dynamic approach to portraiture, where he explores the fluid concepts of motion, time, and perception. His work frequently incorporates scientific and philosophical themes — from synaesthesia to temporality — often developed in collaboration with leading researchers. These ideas manifest visually in his paintings through fragmented, almost digital distortions that challenge the notion of a static image, inviting viewers to experience his subjects as shifting, temporal beings. Hook’s practice includes live painting performances and experimental processes that highlight the fleeting nature of human experience. By merging classical painting techniques with modern scientific frameworks and visual technologies, he redefines how we see and represent identity. He studied illustration at Middlesex University and later taught at the Royal College of Art. In 2014, he rose to prominence after winning Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year with his portrait of Alan Cumming, now held by the National Galleries of Scotland. In 2017, he was awarded the Freedom of the City of Gibraltar. His work is included in major collections, including the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and Bolton Museum.