Chris BERENS
Netherlands
Chris BERENS was born 1976 in Oss, Netherlands. He studied illustration at the Academy of art and design in‘s-hertogenbosch, graduating in 1999.
BERENS creates visions of his internal universe as if he sees it through an ancient handmade lens which warps and obscures his view of that curious place in unpredictable ways. All his works are hand painted, using ink and different types of varnish. He then cuts out fragments, separates the coating layer from the underlying paper, and stacks and unifies them on a larger panel into one image. Chris paints every detail over and over on the coated layer of a glossy paper, creating a visual effect resembling Vermeer and Rembrandt's depiction of light and shadow. A surreal universe with a hazy feeling like a fairyland and a digital high-definition effect are slowly unfolded under his paint brush.
After his first major solo show at Jaski Gallery in 2005, Chris Berens’ fame spread quickly. The young artist has already exhibited all over the world, from Amsterdam to New York, from Tokyo to Los Angeles, Seattle and Singapore. He also designed the cover for Panic of Girls, an album which was released in 2011 by Blondie. Deborah Harry and Chris Stein, founders of the band, are admirers of his work.