Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Art

Street Art: Christie Cassisa's self-portrait captures the sunset's light

The Big Issue's Street Art page gives talented, marginalised individuals an outlet for creative expression

‘CONNECTION’ (SELF-PORTRAIT)

By Christie Cassisa

“I saw the light of a sunset coming in my bathroom window in a way I had never seen before,” says Cassisa of her latest painting, a self-portrait.“I wanted to capture the light in a painting, and could only think to use myself as a model to paint.” Cassisa, a frequent Street Art contributor, recently sold one of her original artworks thanks to The Big Issue. “A lady had seen my painting In Memoriam in the magazine and now has it hanging on her wall,” says Cassisa, who came from an abusive childhood, and as an adult has struggled with depression, alcohol and drug problems, as well as homelessness. “I really enjoy sharing my work with The Big Issue,” she says. “I have met some really interesting people because of it.”

Christie-Cassisa-Connection-Self-Portrait

Support our street artists over at The Big Issue Shop.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Do you know how Big Issue 'really' works?

Watch this simple explanation.

Recommended for you

View all
Artist David Shrigley: 'If Nigel Farage had become a sand sculptor we would all have been better off'
Q&A

Artist David Shrigley: 'If Nigel Farage had become a sand sculptor we would all have been better off'

I'm an artist who used to be homeless. Here are five things I wish I'd known before I started
Advice

I'm an artist who used to be homeless. Here are five things I wish I'd known before I started

Meet Rene Robbins, the 100-year-old artist who survived homelessness: ‘I'd cry myself to sleep'
1oo year old artist Rene Robbins
Art

Meet Rene Robbins, the 100-year-old artist who survived homelessness: ‘I'd cry myself to sleep'

Gilbert & George: 'Homeless people tend not to end up in a picture'
Gilbert & George's artwork - Number Twelve, featuring their friend George Crompton
Art

Gilbert & George: 'Homeless people tend not to end up in a picture'