TALENT

Breaking New Ground

Being Neighbourly x Lindsey McAlister, Lindsey McAlister Fine Art

Author/ Being Neighbourly
24 December 2024

Creativity is the powerful fusion of imagination and experience, where each idea serves as a stepping stone to new possibilities,” says Lindsey McAlister, Founder of Lindsey McAlister Fine Art.

According to her, the eponymous outfit grew from her lifelong involvement in the arts, particularly her 40+ year career in theatre and the performing arts, but the turning point came unexpectedly during a trip to Bali last year.

“After contracting COVID and cancelling my meetings for a week, I was stuck at home… and I found myself with some canvas and paint. As someone who thrives on creativity and being busy, I started painting and rediscovered a passion I had set aside since my art college days over four decades ago,” she explains.

It’s been a heady year for McAlister. “I have been hugely blessed by being involved in a number of amazing opportunities this year. I had a thrilling start back in May at Affordable Art Hong Kong, collaborating with Kambal Gallery alongside many talented international artists.”

She says that October and November were particularly exciting, featuring her work at the prestigious Hong Kong Club for two months and that the highlight of October was having her art displayed at the Louvre Expo in Paris.

Back in Hong Kong, McAlister showcased her work at the Rosewood Hong Kong Hotel for King Charles’ birthday celebration, followed by a temporary exhibition at the British Consulate (which is still ongoing). To cap off the year, November involved our very own ‘Transitions’ exhibition at the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre, for which McAlister created five new pieces. McAlister adds that her work has been selected by Image Conscious (an International Art Licensing Company based in San Francisco), and that she’s collaborating with luxury homeware brand Belevivi in Hong Kong. She’s also recently signed with Artifact Labs, which focuses on preserving culture through the power of blockchain.

“In a world where age often dictates expectations, I firmly believe that age is just a number. Each stage of life brings unique opportunities to reinvent ourselves, challenge old beliefs, and pursue new passions. Whether you’re 20 or 70, the possibilities are endless. Life experiences can fuel creativity, deepen wisdom, and inspire growth. It’s never too late to start a new hobby, switch careers or simply change your perspective,” she exclaims.

Lindsey McAlister Fine Art is not just a business venture, McAlister adds, but a powerful statement about lifelong learning, the enduring nature of creativity and the ability to reinvent oneself at any age.

When it comes to McAlister’s preferred medium and process, she embraces spontaneity, entirely trusting her intuition and experience while creating. “The art I create feels fabulous, authentic and exactly what I should be expressing. Every piece is an extension of myself,” she shares.

Not surprisingly, perhaps, McAlister has a strong preference for acrylic paints, saying that the quick drying time of acrylics is a huge advantage, as it allows the creative momentum to keep going and has even been known to use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process even more so.

Inspiration, she says comes from everywhere and her work has already undergone several discernible themes from mixed media creations featuring acrylic, charcoal and various papers, to her ‘Secrets of the Forgotten Forest’ collection, which embodies mystery and intrigue.

Following this, McAlister created the ‘Serendipity’ collection, where she explores the beauty of chance and spontaneity. The vibrant, organic shapes in these works reflect nature’s unpredictability, reminding viewers to find joy in unexpected discoveries. Each canvas draws the audience into a world of lively colours and intricate patterns that reveal themselves over time, encouraging multiple viewings and interpretations. In her subsequent thematic journeying, her favourite, McAlister sought inspiration directly from nature and gardens: ‘Crazy Abstract Gardens’ pushes the boundaries of abstraction, with vibrant brushstrokes and swirling colours creating whimsical landscapes where plant and animal forms intertwine.

“These works encourage viewers to reconnect with childlike wonder and appreciate the beauty in everyday surroundings. They invite people to slow down and see beauty in simplistic everyday things, fostering a sense of curiosity and awe often lost in adulthood,” she explains.

Most recently, McAlister has begun exploring larger scale works, creating pieces up to 150cm x 150cm. “The increased scale provides new challenges and opportunities for expression, allowing me to explore the impact of size on perception and emotional response,” she adds.

What’s the best work advice you have received?

“The best work advice I’ve received came from my great friend and mentor, Ralph Koltai, CBE, a prolific and ground-breaking set designer who redefined theatrical design over seven decades and more than 250 productions. He pushed the boundaries of set design, moving away from traditional painted backdrops towards immersive, sensory experiences.

Ralph emphasized that authenticity is non-negotiable—it can’t be imitated or feigned. You’re either genuine in your approach or aren’t. He also taught that true enlightenment is essential in building meaningful connections, as it leads to real intimacy in personal and professional relationships.”