Born (UK).  Living in Berlin.

cdennisart@gmail.com
+49 172 3700 599

 Chris Dennis grew up in England. He studied natural history illustration at Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and this classical training is evident in his current therianthropic work.  After completing his BA (Hons) at the University of Wolverhampton he relocated to the United States, and in 2000 earned his MFA from the University of Art in San Francisco. In 2013 after periods in Berlin and Auckland (NZ), Chris relocated to Zürich, Switzerland. He has exhibited and is collected across the United States, Europe and New Zealand. At the end of 2016 he relocated to Berlin, where he currently resides.

 My paintings are built around a preoccupation with surface and texture. The figures in these ‘Therianthropic’ pieces, are not some other-worldly creatures from Science fiction. They are masks or disguises. The narratives have been carefully obfuscated and the likeness may be hidden, but the choice of animal tells its own truth.  From this manufactured fugue state, I explore ideas about biography /autobiography, authorship and the unreliable source.

EDUCATION

  •  2000 MFA - Academy of Art University. San Francisco, CA.
  • 1997 BA (hons) - Wolverhampton University, UK. 
  • 1993 National Diploma (with Merit), Bournemouth Arts University, UK.

SOLO EXHIBITS 

  • 2021 621Y. UNBLOCK Art Fair. Berlin.
  • 2019 Please Be Quiet Please. Das Giftraum, Berlin.
  • 2018 Open Studios ID. Hohenschönhausen, Berlin, Germany.
  • 2018  cod life philosophies. Tapir Gallery, Berlin.
  • 2017  So Long and Thanks for All the Fish. Coup d’oeil Art Consortium. New Orleans, LA.  
  • 2017   Huntenkunst '17. Ulft. The Netherlands.   
  • 2016  TH€ $€LLOUT PROJ€CT (Coinciding with MANIFESTA11), Zürich, Switzerland.
  • 2016  MOTIF/MOTIVE. Jedlitschka Gallery, Zürich, Switzerland.
  • 2015/16  Art Forum Dübendorf. Zürich, Switzerland (Awarded Show).
  • 2015 'Die gemalten Schleier'. Macelleria d’Arte, St. Gallen, Switzerland.
  • 2014  Wanderer Zwischen den Welten (2 Person). Jedlitschka Gallery, Zürich, Switzerland.
  • 2013  Please Be Quiet, Please.  Coup d’oeil Art Consortium. New Orleans, LA.
  • 2011  Tarred & Feathered.  Coinciding with Auckland Art Fair. 22 McColl St. Auckland, NZ.
  • 2011  d e t r i t u s. Coup d’oeil Art Consortium. New Orleans, LA.
  • 2010  Detritus. Takt Kunstprojektraum Artist Residency (September Exhibition). Berlin, Germany.
  • 2010  Es Bedeutet Sogar Wenigar/ It Means Even Less. Neonchocolate Gallery. Berlin, Germany
  • 2010  You don't know me, but... Alice Gryphius Kunstraum. Berlin, Germany.
  • 2010  Room #5. Takt Kunstprojektraum Artist Residency (August Exhibition). Berlin, Germany.
  • 2010  The Tourist. Takt Kunstprojektraum Artist Residency (July Exhibition). Berlin, Germany.
  • 2009  *Any similarity to persons living or dead is entirely intentional. Coup d’oeil Art Consortium. New Orleans, LA.
  • 2009  The Second Verse is the Same as the First. Baton Rouge Gallery Center for Contemporary Art, LA.
  • 2009  A dog in clothes is still a dog. Grapevine Gallery, LA
  • 2009  Grey Areas. Baton Rouge Arts Commission, LA.
  • 2008  Therianthropic. Baton Rouge Gallery, Center for Contemporary Art, LA.
  • 2001  Recent Paintings, Gallery One, Petaluma, CA.
  • 2000  The Fourteen Passions of Euchrid Eucrow. Academy of Art Gallery, San Francisco, CA
  • 1999  Psyche. The Flying Goat, Healdsburg, CA.

 GROUP SHOWS, JURIED EXHIBITS, FAIRS & AWARDS

  • 2021 GERMANY. Group Show. Curated by Simon Williams. The Ballery, Berlin.
  • 2021 UNBLOCK Art Fair. Curated by Denis Leo Hegic & Jan Fielder. Berlin.
  • 2021 Lange Nacht der Bilder. - Studios ID. Hohenschönhausen, Berlin.
  • 2021 Ortstermin 21. Group show. QM Rostocker Str. Berlin.
  • 2020 Das Giftraum. Exhibition and Auction. Curated by Rachel Burns. Berlin.
  • 2020 Lange Nacht der Bilder. - Studios ID. Hohenschönhausen, Berlin.
  • ​​2019 Uprooted. Curated by Therese Berg. Green Hill Gallery, Berlin, Germany.
  • 2019 brAndenburg beRlin international. Rechenzentrum, Potsdam, Germany.
  • 2018 Group Exhibit - Open Studios ID . Hohenschönhausen, Berlin, Germany.
  • 2018 Transformart. Rathenau Hallen, Berlin, Germany.
  • 2018  Recent Works. Jedlitschka Gallery, Zürich, Switzerland.
  • ​2017  LEFTOVERS. Curated by Dora Tarasidou. Presented by Soft Within, Berlin.
  • 2017  Der Hai Im Mai. Curated by Andreas Helfer. Atelierhof Kreuzberg, Berlin.
  • 2017  Transitions Ep.1: Spintered Planes. Curated by Sheena Malone. Dada Post Gallery, Berlin.
  • 2015  Summer Exhibition. Coup d'Oeil Art Consortium. New Orleans, USA.
  • 2014  Art Forum Dübendorf. Zürich, Switzerland (Juror’s Award).
  • 2014 Künstler der Galerie und ihre Sparring-Partner. Jedlitschka Gallery, Zürich, Switzerland.
  • 2014   A Summer Hanging. Coup d'Oeil Art Consortium. New Orleans, USA.
  • 2014 SCOPE NY. New York, USA
  • 2013 SCOPE Miami. Miami, USA
  • 2013  A Contemporary Salon.  Coup d’oeil Art Consortium. New Orleans, LA.
  • 2013  'SAATCHI SCREEN'. Saatchi Gallery. London, UK
  • 2012 Saloon des Ferari. Ferari Art Space, Auckland NZ. Curated by Robbie Fraser.
  • 2012  The Trusts Art and Sculpture Awards. Corban Estate, Henderson, NZ (Judges: TJ McNamara and Judy Darragh).
  • 2012  SCAN.IT Gallery40, Brighton, UK. Curated by Gem Barton.
  • 2012 Korero. Uxbridge Art Centre, Auckland. Curated by Melissa Elliot.
  • 2012  Cliftons Art Prize Exhibition. Auckland Finalist. NZ.
  • 2012. May Group Show. Letham Gallery. Ponsonby, Auckland, NZ.
  • 2012. Estuary Artworks. Travelling Exhibit.  Fo Guang Shan Art Gallery , Auckland, NZ.
  • 2012.  Compressed. Presented by Neon Chocolate,  .HBC Berlin, Germany. (Curated by Oliver Thoben and Uwe Neu).
  • 2012  Finalist - Estuary Artworks. Uxbridge Art Centre. Auckland, NZ. (Judges: Chris Saines and TJ McNamara). 
  • 2012  Finalist - Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Award 2102.Whakatane, NZ. (Judge: Dr. Marilynn Webb)
  • 2011  ‘Portraits’. Depot Artspace. Auckland, New Zealand.
  • 2011  Cliftons Art Prize Exhibition. Auckland Finalist. NZ.
  • 2010  Society of Brilliant Ideas Open Studio (part of Auckland Art Week). Auckland, NZ.
  • 2010  Multispecies Salon 3: SWARM (Curated by Nina Nichols and Amy Jenkins) The Front. New Orleans, LA.
  • 2010  Artist Member Group Show. Baton Rouge Gallery, Center for Contemporary Art, LA.
  • 2010  Vantage Point. Depot Artspace. Auckland, New Zealand.
  • 2010  Dew Point. Coup d'oeil Art Consortium. New Orleans, LA.
  • 2010  Off the Wall. Coup d'oeil Art Consortium. New Orleans, LA.
  • 2009  Kinetics. Baton Rouge Gallery, Center for Contemporary Art, LA.
  • 2009  8th Annual Summer Invitational Art Exhibition: American Dream. Alfred C. Glassell Jr. Exhibition Gallery. Baton Rouge, LA.
  • 2009  The Art Melt. Shaw Center for the Arts: Brunner Gallery. Baton Rouge, LA. (Jurors: Dan Cameron, Brian Young).
  • 2009  Coup d'oeil Art Consortium. New Orleans, LA.
  • 2009  Kentucky National. Eagle Art Gallery. Murray State University, KY.
  • 2009  Scope. Fort Gallery. Oakland, CA.
  • 2008  Think Tank. Eagle Art Gallery. Murray State University, KY. (Juror: Mark Masuoka).
  • 2008  From the Ground Up. Baton Rouge Gallery, LA.
  • 2008  The Art Melt. Shaw Center for the Arts: Brunner Gallery, Baton Rouge LA. (Juror: Sean Ulmer).
  • 2008  Trees & Paths. (Group Invitational). Caffery Gallery. Baton Rouge, LA.
  • 2008  Angels & Birds. Mezzanine Gallery, Hotel Triton. San Francisco, CA.
  • 2008  20”x20”x20” National Competition, Union Gallery. LSU, Baton Rouge LA.
  • 2007  The Art Melt. Shaw Center for the Arts: Brunner Gallery, Baton Rouge LA.
  • 2007  20th International Exhibition on Animals in Art. LSU, Baton Rouge, LA.
  • 2007  20”x20”x20” National Competition, Union Gallery. LSU, Baton Rouge LA.
  • 2006  Dangenart Gallery. International Juried Show. Nashville, TN.
  • 2006  The Art Melt. Shaw Center for the Arts: Brunner Gallery, Baton Rouge LA.
  • 2006  20”x20”x20” National Competition, Union Gallery. LSU, Baton Rouge LA.
  • 2006  19th International Exhibition on Animals in Art. LSU, Baton Rouge, LA.
  • 2005  Louisiana Artists. LSU Art Gallery Baton Rouge LA.
  • 2005  The Art Melt. Shaw Center for the Arts: Brunner Gallery, Baton Rouge LA.
  • 2005  New Images. Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge LA.
  • 2005  20”x20”x20” National Competition, Union Gallery. LSU, Baton Rouge LA.
  • 2004  The Portrait Project, Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission, Chapel Hill NC.
  • 2004  20”x20”x20” National Competition, LSU, Baton Rouge LA.
  • 2000  Small works show, Gallery One, Petaluma, and CA.
  • 2000  Spring Show 2000. Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA.
  • 2000  Holding the Sacred Heart. Live Art! Petaluma, CA.
  • 1999  California Small Works, Sonoma Museum of Visual Art, CA.
  • 1999  The Figure in Context, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, CA.
  • 1999  Spring Show 1999, Academy of Art, San Francisco, CA.
  • 1997  Contemporary British Illustration, V. Dryden St. Gallery, London, UK.
  • 1997  "Illustration", Wolverhampton University, UK.
  • 1996  Illustration and the Community, Wolverhampton University Gallery, UK.
  • 1994  Illustrating Urban Environments, Wolverhampton University Gallery, UK.​

ARTICLES  PRESS & PUBLICATION

  • Pseudoscienza. (Art Journal). The Surprise Edition. Dec. 2017.
  • Kunst Bulletin. September 2016. In&Out. Dominique von Burg.
  • Bad at Sports (Podcast). Episode 552. 23rd June, 2016. 1 hour interview with Dr. Mark Staff Brandl. 
  • Swiss Air Magazine. March/April 2016
  • My Switzerland Magazine. March 2016.
  • Glattaler (Newspaper). Gewinner der Art Forum gewählt. January  21, 2015
  • Glattaler (Newspaper). Einmal Jurymitglied sein - Obere Mühle. December 19, 2014
  • Mapanare. Coup d'Oeil Art Consortium (New Orleans) showed work by Chris Dennis and Blaine Capone at Scope Miami Beach 2013. January 14, 2014
  • Arts Diary. December 2012. Saloon des Ferari. August 2011. Tarred & Feathered.
  • Gallery 36 Magazine. Vol. 3 No.3, 2011
  • Sideroom Magazine. July, 2011
  • NPR Berlin (online), September, 2010.
  • Exberliner (online), September, 2010.
  • New York Twist Magazine. September, 2009.
  • Baton Rouge Advocate. Styles of Dennis, Howes, and Authement flow. Robin Miller. August 9, 2009.
  • Baton Rouge Advocate. Artists take the American dream in varied directions, by Robin Miller. July 19, 2009.
  • Tiger Weekly #775. Diving in the ‘Gray Areas. by Jalissa Bates. Feb 18 2009.
  • Baton Rouge Advocate. Arts Council will show Dennis paintings, by Robin Miller. Feb 15 2009.
  • Studio Visit. Volume 3. From the publishers of New American Paintings - fall 2008
  • Wears the Trousers magazine. Alan Pedder. July 16. 2008
  • Baton Rouge Advocate. Review of Trees & Paths show by Anne Price. 6/8/08 (13E).
  • Sweet Tooth. #1. Review of Therianthropic by Alex Cook.
  • Tiger Weekly. #396. Feb 20-26 2008 (feature article by Kelley Cox).
  • American Culinary Federation.
  • Harry N. Abrams (Publisher). - Colorworks (Textbook). (To be published).
  • Cadmus Editions.
  • American Labor Federation.  2007 Calendar.
  • Bay Area Alternative Press.
  • Joni Davis - A Bird’s Heart (CD Cover 2008). Joni Davis - Joni Davis (CD Cover 2007).
  • John Pence - Waking Up (Book Jacket).
  • Retort Magazine (Australia). Aug/Sep 2005. ISSN 1445- 7164
  • Museum of Natural Sciences, Louisiana State University.
  • The Blotter.  Jan 2004(Cover and spread). March 2004 (Cover).
  • Tikkun Magazine. May/Jun 2009, Mar/Apr 2005, Nov/Dec 2004, Mar/Apr 2004, Nov/Dec 2003, Sep/Oct 2003, Jul/Aug 2003, May/Jun 2003 and Nov/Dec 2002.                                                                                                       
  • The Late Late Show Magazine.  Issue #5 (Cover).  Issue #4.
  • Aestheticon.   Featured Artist. June 2003.

RESIDENCIES.

  •  2010. Takt Artist Residency (3 months). Berlin, Germany.

MEMBERSHIP & SERVICE.

  • 2020 - Present. Studios ID Collective.
  • 2010 - 2013. Depot Artspace, Artist Member. Devonport, Auckland, New Zealand.
  • 2008 -  2010. Baton Rouge Gallery Center for Contemporary Art. Board Member.
  • 2009 -  Juror. Surreal Salon juried surrealist exhibition. The Ephemeral Gallery, Baton Rouge, LA.
  • 2007 - Present. Baton Rouge Gallery Center for Contemporary Art. Juried Artist.
  • 2004 - . Artist’s Helping Children Mural Project. Westchester Children’s Hospital, NY/ Camp Towanda.




CHRIS DENNIS ART

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