Etienne Marquis
Etienne Marquis grew up in the Channel Islands, where career paths are largely oriented toward business and finance. For much of his early life, becoming an artist did not seem like a realistic option. It was only after stepping away from business studies and turning to art as a way to fill time that he began to recognize a sustained commitment to making. What started as experimentation gradually developed into a focused practice.
Following that shift, Marquis pursued formal training at the Guernsey Institute before continuing his studies in England, where he earned an undergraduate degree in Fine Art. His postgraduate work remains shaped by this academic background, particularly the idea of developing a body of work as a cohesive thesis informed by research and symbolism. He approaches images as carriers of narrative, using visual structure to communicate ideas and personal stories without relying on literal explanation.
Although oil painting is his primary medium, Marquis places importance on working across processes. Woodworking became a natural extension of his practice, initially out of necessity when he began constructing his own canvases and frames. This hands-on engagement with materials has influenced how he thinks about surface, structure, and labor, reinforcing a broader understanding of craft beyond the painted image itself.
Visually, his work draws from traditional academic painters of the fifteenth century, including Caravaggio and Michelangelo. Rather than replicating historical subject matter, he adapts their compositional rigor and dramatic sensibility to contemporary narratives. This creates an intentional dialogue between past and present, where classical techniques frame modern experiences.
His working method is deliberate and carefully structured. Ideas often emerge from lived experiences, music, dreams, or the desire to preserve the presence of someone close to him. Once an idea takes form, he moves through a consistent process of sketching, gathering references through primary sources and photoshoots, and preparing his canvases before beginning to paint. He often dedicates full days to the studio, working in extended sessions accompanied by music, which he later associates closely with each finished piece.
Because his practice includes multiple stages beyond painting alone, Marquis rarely experiences creative burnout. When one aspect of the process becomes mentally demanding, he shifts to more physical or methodical tasks, allowing his focus to reset while remaining productive. This balance has helped him maintain momentum while working intensively.
Since completing his studies, Marquis has immersed himself fully in his career as a freelance artist. In 2025, he exhibited work in eight exhibitions across England and the Channel Islands, winning the De Ruse Foundation Art Prize and an Art Gemini Prize, and being shortlisted for the Visual Artists Association’s Upcoming Artist of the Year. Alongside his studio work, he maintains part-time employment, often working seven days a week while managing the administrative and digital demands of sustaining a contemporary art practice.
While he acknowledges the pressures of social media and online visibility, Marquis remains committed to viewing art as a personal refuge. He accepts commissions selectively, prioritizing projects that align with his values and reserving time for work that exists solely for himself. Looking ahead, he hopes to continue traveling, collaborating, and allowing lived experience to inform the evolution of his work.
Marquis is currently preparing for his first solo exhibition in collaboration with Guernsey Arts, to be held at the Guernsey Museum. The show will explore reimagined local folklore through oil painting, drawing on extensive research and preparation. Documented throughout its development, the project represents one of his most ambitious undertakings to date and reflects his ongoing investment in both personal growth and community engagement.
