Cordia Ezekiel is a contemporary artist whose practice moves between abstract expressionism and impressionism, exploring emotion, atmosphere, memory and transformation through colour, texture and layered surfaces. Her artistic development spans more than two decades and has been shaped through formal study, workshops, mentorship and independent exploration, including training at Hampstead School of Art and guidance from artist Marina Emphietzi.
Ezekiel’s work is characterised by expressive mark-making and a strong engagement with materiality. Gold, copper and silver leaf often appear within her paintings, adding both tactile richness and a sense of luminosity. Her Middle Eastern heritage is an important influence, informing her use of colour, texture and symbolism as well as her exploration of memory, identity and spirituality.
Rather than working through literal representation, Ezekiel creates atmospheric compositions in which narrative emerges through colour relationships, texture and shifting forms. Her process is intuitive and layered, allowing each painting to develop gradually through experimentation, disruption and refinement.
Influenced by artists including Mark Rothko, Cy Twombly, Claude Monet, Marc Chagall and Anselm Kiefer, Ezekiel brings together emotional resonance and material experimentation. Her paintings invite viewers to engage with personal interpretations of place, memory, belonging and the passage of time.
Are you self-taught, or did you undertake formal artistic training?
Over the past 20 years, my artistic practice has been shaped through a combination of mentorship, workshops, formal study and independent exploration. I attended Hampstead School of Art, where I further developed my skills within a structured studio environment. My creative journey has also been enriched through learning from a range of artists, including Marina Emphietzi, whose guidance has contributed to the ongoing refinement of my visual language.
How would you define your visual language or conceptual approach?
My visual language exists within a fluid dialogue between abstract expressionism and impressionism, where instinct meets sensitivity to light, atmosphere and emotional nuance. My work is driven by a profound love of colour, texture and layered surfaces, using gesture and abstraction to capture memory, sensation and transformation.
Can you describe your creative process from conception to completion?
My process begins with an emotional or atmospheric impulse rather than a fixed image. Through gestural mark-making, layered colour and evolving textures, each work develops organically. I embrace uncertainty and spontaneity, allowing each piece to unfold gradually until colour, texture and composition reach a cohesive resolution.
Does narrative, symbolism, or storytelling play a role within your work?
Yes, my work is deeply narrative, though not through literal representation. Through colour, texture and symbolic forms, I explore memory, transformation, spirituality and the passage of time, inviting viewers to create personal interpretations.
Which artists have most influenced you historically or contemporarily and why?
I am profoundly influenced by Mark Rothko, Cy Twombly, Claude Monet, Marc Chagall and Anselm Kiefer, whose approaches to colour, gesture, atmosphere and materiality resonate deeply with my own practice.
What personal, cultural, or environmental influences shape your practice?
My Middle Eastern heritage profoundly shapes my work, particularly through vibrant colour, rich textures and the use of gold, copper and silver leaf. My practice bridges personal memory, spirituality and environmental experience.
Where is your studio based, and how does the space inform your creativity?
My home studio provides an intimate, flexible and reflective environment that allows for deep creative immersion.
Do you have any rituals or rhythms that anchor your studio practice?
I often work in the early mornings or late evenings, when reflection and mellow music allow me to engage deeply with multiple evolving pieces.
What bodies of work or projects are you currently developing?
I am currently focused on individual paintings that explore layering, atmosphere and personal interpretation rather than fixed series.
Where can collectors encounter or acquire your work?
Collectors can discover my work through exhibitions, open studios and selected group shows, as well as through my website, www.cordiaezekielart.com, Instagram @cordiaezekielart, or by direct enquiry for available works and commissions.
