Imagine discovering a hidden artistic genius at the age of 88. Christine Hazell, a woman with progressive memory loss, had never picked up a pencil to create art—until six months ago. Now, her captivating drawings have taken Instagram by storm, earning her a dedicated following and even catching the eye of renowned artist Tracey Emin. But here’s where it gets even more remarkable: Christine is the mother of Matthew Higgs, a celebrated curator and gallerist, who has spent decades championing artists from unconventional backgrounds. Could this be the ultimate proof that creativity knows no bounds—or age limits?
For over 40 years, Matthew Higgs has nurtured the careers of artists like Jeremy Deller, Martin Creed, and Peter Doig. Yet, his latest discovery hits closer to home. Christine, living in a quaint 17th-century cottage in York, began her artistic journey thanks to her daughter Gaby, an architect. Gaby, finding colored pencils and drawing pads left by her children, suggested Christine try copying family photos to pass the time. What started as a simple activity quickly evolved into something extraordinary. Christine now creates new drawings daily, each one a unique interpretation of her family’s faces, including her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even her dog, Kizzy. ‘She can spend anywhere from 10 minutes to two hours on a single portrait,’ Gaby explains, marveling at her mother’s dedication.
And this is the part most people miss: Christine’s art isn’t just about replication. Despite her memory loss, she brings a distinct style to her work, choosing what to emphasize and what to leave behind. ‘She calls it her job to ‘spoil’ the perfection of a photo,’ Higgs shares, ‘giving her subjects a different face.’ This process, Higgs believes, underscores a profound truth: creativity is innate, waiting only for the right encouragement and opportunity to flourish.
Since Higgs began sharing Christine’s drawings on Instagram, they’ve garnered widespread acclaim. With 65.3k followers eagerly awaiting his weekly posts, the art world has taken notice. Tracey Emin praised the work as ‘something so good,’ while Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Jerry Saltz and Tate Britain’s director Alex Farquharson have also voiced their admiration. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Christine’s art a testament to raw, untamed creativity—or does her memory loss play a role in shaping her unique perspective? We’ll let you decide.
The drawings have already inspired collaborations with UK gallerists. Florencia Clifford and Hugo Hildyard, owners of Partisan, a York-based restaurant and art space, will showcase Christine’s first exhibition, Different Faces, featuring 24 subjects from Yorkshire. ‘Her art is magical and moving,’ Clifford says, ‘a freedom of expression without self-consciousness.’ Next July, London’s Studio Voltaire will display another collection, with director Joe Scotland noting the ‘care and consideration’ in her line-making. Even East Yorkshire’s outsider art gallery, The Blacksmith’s Shop, will feature her work in 2026, with curator Mark Ibson calling it ‘the best example of outsider art I’ve seen in Yorkshire.’
As Christine’s confidence grows, so does her artistic boldness. ‘It’s amazing to see her ability to visualize accelerate,’ Higgs reflects, ‘even as other aspects of her life slow down.’ Her latest drawings, featuring musicians and actors, will soon cross the Atlantic to hang in New York’s White Columns, the city’s oldest alternative art space. But the real question remains: What does Christine’s journey tell us about the nature of creativity? Is it ever too late to start—or is it simply a matter of unlocking what’s always been there? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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