Caroline Canessa

I was born in 1967 and raised on the Rock of Gibraltar, my hometown. Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located on the Southern tip of the Iberian Peninsular at the exit of the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. We border Southern Spain (Andalucía) and Morocco is across the Strait of Gibraltar.

​​Due to our land frontier with Andalucía, Spain and the close proximity of Morocco my work is influenced by the culture, food, landscapes, seascapes, the mediterranean colours and light of this unique place at the very tip of Europe with Africa just across the Strait of Gibraltar.

Subjects can range from the colourful spice & souk markets in Tangier, Morocco with their handmade slippers, ceramics, rugs and lanterns to the landscapes, fish and beaches in Spain and Gibraltar.

I’m also fascinated by humble fruit, vegetables, and confectionary that we all know and love as there is so much colour and beauty to capture in everyday objects and the space they occupy both in our everyday lives and in our memories. I like to transform the simplicity of these common objects into paintings which are emotionally rich and expressive which connect with you and can bring joy and happiness into our lives.

I have always painted and have very fond memories of drawing with my father when I was growing up. I studied art at school to A-level standard. With no formal training and after taking a 13-year break from painting to raise my sons I returned to the easel by attending some adult classes locally with a newfound love of painting and haven’t stopped since! This led to my first solo exhibition in 2011 “allá prima” which was a complete sell out.
I now paint daily mainly in oils and am enjoying my personal evolving artistic journey.

Solo Exhibitions:-

Nov 2021 - "Caroline" at Sacarello's Coffee Shop, Gibraltar
Nov 2019 - "Caroline at The Kasbar" at The Kasbar, Castle Steps
Oct 2018 - "Sweet Art" at The Nook, Arts & Crafts Shop, Gibraltar
May 2018 - Sweet Art at The John Mackintosh Hall, Gibraltar
Dec 2014 - "At Home" at Sacarello's Coffee Shop, Gibraltar
Apr 2011 - "Alla Prima" at the Fine Arts Gallery, Gibraltar

Group Exhibitions:-

Jun 2024 - SWA 163rd International Open Exhibition at The Mall Galleries, London
Jun 2014 - Convent Open Day at The Convent, Gibraltar
Oct 2012 - Gibraltar Artists at The Clarendon Fine Arts Gallery, Mayfair, London
Oct 2012 - "Brushstrokes" at The Fine Arts Gallery, Gibraltar
Dec 2011 - Mar Del Sur (Gibraltar & La Linea Artists) at The John Mackintosh Hall, Gibraltar
Sep 2011 - A Tribute to Gustavo Bacarisas at The Gibraltar Art Gallery, Gibraltar
Dec 2008 - L'Atelier Art Group at Sacarello's Coffee Shop, Gibraltar

Annual Judged Exhibitions:-

International Painting Competition at The Gustavo Bacarisas Gallery, Gibraltar - Yearly from 2008

Spring Visual Arts Competition at The Gustavo Bacarisas Gallery, Gibraltar -Yearly from 2008

* Highly Commended 2024
* Highly Commended 2011

Gibraltar Heritage Plein Air Painting Compet...