Chris Dennis
bio
• Chris was born and grew up in Bournemouth, England.
• At age 16 he was admitted to Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design to study natural history illustration.
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.
After six years in Louisiana and 3 months as an artist in residence in Berlin,
Chris now makes his home in Auckland, New Zealand.
• My paintings are perhaps best described as 'Narrative expressionism' or 'internalized portraiture'.
The juxtaposition of a static figure (often possessing the head of either a fish or a bird) in an active setting hints
at the internal, through the depiction of the external.
• The stories behind these 'Therianthropic' pieces have been carefully obfuscated.
The incongruity yet immediacy of the imagery fuel the viewer's preconceptions.
They invite the witness to create their own narrative and bring to mind facets or emotions that
maybe more difficult to confront if not disguised behind a mask.
resume
Education:
2000
MFA - Academy of Art University. San Francisco, CA.
MFA - Academy of Art University. San Francisco, CA.
1997
BA (hons) - Wolverhampton University, UK.
BA (hons) - Wolverhampton University, UK.
1993
National Diploma (with Merit), Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design, UK.
National Diploma (with Merit), Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design, UK.
Solo exhibits:
2011
• Tarred & Feathered (2 Person). Coinciding with Auckland Art Fair, NZ.
• d e t r i t u s. Coup d'oeil Art Consortium. New Orleans, LA.
• Tarred & Feathered (2 Person). Coinciding with Auckland Art Fair, NZ.
• 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.
• Es Bedeutet Sogar Wenigar / It Means Even Less. Neonchocolate Gallery. Berlin, Germany.
• You don't know me, but... Alice Gryphius Kunstraum. Berlin, Germany.
• Room #5. Takt Kunstprojektraum Artist Residency (August Exhibition). Berlin, Germany.
• The Tourist. Takt Kunstprojektraum Artist Residency (July Exhibition). Berlin, Germany.
• Detritus. Takt Kunstprojektraum Artist Residency (September Exhibition). Berlin, Germany.
• Es Bedeutet Sogar Wenigar / It Means Even Less. Neonchocolate Gallery. Berlin, Germany.
• You don't know me, but... Alice Gryphius Kunstraum. Berlin, Germany.
• Room #5. Takt Kunstprojektraum Artist Residency (August Exhibition). Berlin, Germany.
• 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.
• The Second Verse is the same as the First. Baton Rouge Gallery, LA.
• A dog in clothes is still a dog. Grapevine Gallery, LA.
• Grey Areas. Baton Rouge Arts Commission, LA.
• Any similarity to persons living or dead is entirely intentional. Coup d'oeil Art Consortium. New Orleans, LA.
• The Second Verse is the same as the First. Baton Rouge Gallery, LA.
• A dog in clothes is still a dog. Grapevine Gallery, LA.
• Grey Areas. Baton Rouge Arts Commission, LA.
2008
Therianthropic. Baton Rouge Gallery, LA.
Therianthropic. Baton Rouge Gallery, LA.
2001
Recent Paintings, Gallery One, Petaluma, CA.
Recent Paintings, Gallery One, Petaluma, CA.
2000
The Fourteen Passions of Euchrid Eucrow. Academy of Art Gallery, San Francisco.
The Fourteen Passions of Euchrid Eucrow. Academy of Art Gallery, San Francisco.
1999
Psyche. The Flying Goat, Healdsburg, CA.
Psyche. The Flying Goat, Healdsburg, CA.
Group Shows, Juried Exhibits & Awards:
2011
• 'Portraits'. Depot Artspace. Auckland, New Zealand.
• Cliftons Art Prize Exhibition. Auckland Finalist. NZ.
• 'Portraits'. Depot Artspace. Auckland, New Zealand.
• Cliftons Art Prize Exhibition. Auckland Finalist. NZ.
2010
• Society of Brilliant Ideas Open Studio (part of Auckland Art Week). Auckland, NZ.
• Multispecies Salon 3: SWARM (curated by Nina Nichols and Amy Jenkins) The Front. New Orleans, LA.
• Artist Member Group Show. Baton Rouge Gallery, Center for Contemporary Art, LA.
• Vantage Point. Depot Artspace. Auckland, New Zealand.
• Dew Point. Coup d'oeil Art Consortium. New Orleans, LA.
• Off the Wall. Coup d'oeil Art Consortium. New Orleans, LA.
• Society of Brilliant Ideas Open Studio (part of Auckland Art Week). Auckland, NZ.
• Multispecies Salon 3: SWARM (curated by Nina Nichols and Amy Jenkins) The Front. New Orleans, LA.
• Artist Member Group Show. Baton Rouge Gallery, Center for Contemporary Art, LA.
• Vantage Point. Depot Artspace. Auckland, New Zealand.
• Dew Point. Coup d'oeil Art Consortium. New Orleans, LA.
• Off the Wall. Coup d'oeil Art Consortium. New Orleans, LA.
2009
• Kinetics. Baton Rouge Gallery, Center for Contemporary Art, LA.
• 8th Annual Summer Invitational Art Exhibition: American Dream. Alfred C. Glassell Jr. Exhibition Gallery. Baton Rouge, LA.
• The Art Melt. Shaw Center for the Arts: Brunner Gallery. Baton Rouge, LA. (Jurors: Dan Cameron, Brian Young).
• Coup d'oeil Art Consortium. New Orleans, LA.
• Kentucky National. Eagle Art Gallery. Murray State University, KY.
• Scope. Fort Gallery. Oakland, CA.
• Kinetics. Baton Rouge Gallery, Center for Contemporary Art, LA.
• 8th Annual Summer Invitational Art Exhibition: American Dream. Alfred C. Glassell Jr. Exhibition Gallery. Baton Rouge, LA.
• The Art Melt. Shaw Center for the Arts: Brunner Gallery. Baton Rouge, LA. (Jurors: Dan Cameron, Brian Young).
• Coup d'oeil Art Consortium. New Orleans, LA.
• Kentucky National. Eagle Art Gallery. Murray State University, KY.
• Scope. Fort Gallery. Oakland, CA.
2008
• Think Tank. Eagle Art Gallery. Murray State University KY. (Juror: Mark Masuoka).
• From the Ground Up. Baton Rouge Gallery, LA.
• The Art Melt. Shaw Center for the Arts: Brunner Gallery, Baton Rouge LA. (Juror: Sean Ulmer).
• Trees & Paths. (Group Invitational). Caffery Gallery. Baton Rouge, LA.
• Angels & Birds. Mezzanine Gallery, Hotel Triton. San Francisco, CA.
• 20"x20"x20" National Competition, Union Gallery. LSU, Baton Rouge LA.
• Think Tank. Eagle Art Gallery. Murray State University KY. (Juror: Mark Masuoka).
• From the Ground Up. Baton Rouge Gallery, LA.
• The Art Melt. Shaw Center for the Arts: Brunner Gallery, Baton Rouge LA. (Juror: Sean Ulmer).
• Trees & Paths. (Group Invitational). Caffery Gallery. Baton Rouge, LA.
• Angels & Birds. Mezzanine Gallery, Hotel Triton. San Francisco, CA.
• 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.
• 20th International Exhibition on Animals in Art. LSU, Baton Rouge, LA.
• 20"x20"x20" National Competition, Union Gallery. LSU, Baton Rouge LA.
• The Art Melt. Shaw Center for the Arts: Brunner Gallery, Baton Rouge LA.
• 20th International Exhibition on Animals in Art. LSU, Baton Rouge, LA.
• 20"x20"x20" National Competition, Union Gallery. LSU, Baton Rouge LA.
2006
• Dangenart Gallery. International Juried Show. Nashville, TN.
• The Art Melt. Shaw Center for the Arts: Brunner Gallery, Baton Rouge LA.
• 20"x20"x20" National Competition, Union Gallery. LSU, Baton Rouge LA.
• 19th International Exhibition on Animals in Art. LSU, Baton Rouge, LA.
• Dangenart Gallery. International Juried Show. Nashville, TN.
• The Art Melt. Shaw Center for the Arts: Brunner Gallery, Baton Rouge LA.
• 20"x20"x20" National Competition, Union Gallery. LSU, Baton Rouge LA.
• 19th International Exhibition on Animals in Art. LSU, Baton Rouge, LA.
2005
• Louisiana Artists. LSU Art Gallery Baton Rouge LA.
• The Art Melt. Shaw Center for the Arts: Brunner Gallery, Baton Rouge LA.
• New Images. Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge LA.
• 20"x20"x20" National Competition, Union Gallery. LSU, Baton Rouge LA.
• Louisiana Artists. LSU Art Gallery Baton Rouge LA.
• The Art Melt. Shaw Center for the Arts: Brunner Gallery, Baton Rouge LA.
• New Images. Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge LA.
• 20"x20"x20" National Competition, Union Gallery. LSU, Baton Rouge LA.
2004
• The Portrait Project, Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission, Chapel Hill NC.
• 20"x20"x20" National Competition, LSU, Baton Rouge LA.
• The Portrait Project, Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission, Chapel Hill NC.
• 20"x20"x20" National Competition, LSU, Baton Rouge LA.
2000
• Small works show, Gallery One, Petaluma, and CA.
• Spring Show 2000. Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA.
• Holding the Sacred Heart. Live Art! Petaluma, CA.
• Small works show, Gallery One, Petaluma, and CA.
• Spring Show 2000. Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA.
• Holding the Sacred Heart. Live Art! Petaluma, CA.
1999
• California Small Works, Sonoma Museum of Visual Art, CA.
• The Figure in Context, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, CA.
• Spring Show 1999, Academy of Art, San Francisco, CA.
• California Small Works, Sonoma Museum of Visual Art, CA.
• The Figure in Context, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, CA.
• Spring Show 1999, Academy of Art, San Francisco, CA.
1997
• Contemporary British Illustration, V. Dryden St. Gallery, London, UK.
• Illustration, Wolverhampton University, UK.
• Contemporary British Illustration, V. Dryden St. Gallery, London, UK.
• Illustration, Wolverhampton University, UK.
1996
Illustration and the Community, Wolverhampton University Gallery, UK.
Illustration and the Community, Wolverhampton University Gallery, UK.
1994
Illustrating Urban Environments, Wolverhampton University Gallery, UK.
Illustrating Urban Environments, Wolverhampton University Gallery, UK.
Articles & publication:
• 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).
• 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. Nov/Dec 2002.
• The Late Late Show Magazine. Issue #5 (Cover). Issue #4.
• Aestheticon. Featured Artist. June 2003.
• 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).
• 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. Nov/Dec 2002.
• The Late Late Show Magazine. Issue #5 (Cover). Issue #4.
• Aestheticon. Featured Artist. June 2003.
Collections:
National Labor Federation (USA).
Residencies:
2010. Takt Artist Residency (3 months). Berlin, Germany.