The Christopher Cutts Gallery is excited to announce our upcoming exhibition of Cynthia Chapman’s new work, “Burst!” 

“Burst” represents an exciting milestone in Chapman’s already acclaimed practice, as she debuts her most powerful and liberated body of work to date in her inaugural exhibition with the Christopher Cutts Gallery. 

The Toronto-based abstract artist is celebrated for her immersive compositions built through dense, blocky strokes of colour in thick impasto that extend across the entire picture plane. This exhibition presents vibrant new paintings that reference Chapman's distinctive visual language while highlighting her ongoing exploration of the physicality of mark-making, illustrating movement and sensation through expressive strokes, blooms, and bursts of colour. 

In this explosive new series, Chapman transforms wildflowers into pure kinetic force. Fireweed, lupine, columbine, and trillium bloom in bursts across the canvas with thick sculptural impasto. Vermilion cores tear open, cobalt petals flare outwards, and saffron centers blaze white-hot. These works mark a turning point in Chapman’s practice as she develops her signature all-over compositions with graceful interplays of positive and negative space. Layers of pigment and surges of colour are now pierced by sharp radial strokes and stellated forms, creating depth, contrast, and energy.

“For me, "Burst" is the first time I’ve let the paint do exactly what it wants, no holding back, no apology. These flowers aren’t polite; they’re detonating, pushing, taking up every inch of space they deserve. This is the start of a phase that refuses to be contained.”

Join us in celebrating Chapman’s new chapter with the Christopher Cutts Gallery on Saturday, December 6th, from 2 to 6 pm! The artist will be in attendance.

“Burst” will run from December 6, 2025 — January 17, 2026.