CHRISTOPHER CHARLES CURTIS
The Serpent Shed Silver
ARTIST STATEMENT
This body of work is a reflection on the dissolution of the ego. Also known as ego death or psychic death, it refers to the separation from self-centered thought. This idea is explored with the use of symbolic imagery presented in a surrealistic style, rendered with pencil on paper. Pulling references from old photographs to Gnostic beliefs and my own personal mythology, the ego is portrayed in order to fully grasp its effect on the psyche.
This body of work is a reflection on the dissolution of the ego. Also known as ego death or psychic death, it refers to the separation from self-centered thought. This idea is explored with the use of symbolic imagery presented in a surrealistic style, rendered with pencil on paper. Pulling references from old photographs to Gnostic beliefs and my own personal mythology, the ego is portrayed in order to fully grasp its effect on the psyche.
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Thorn, 2016-18, graphite, colored pencil on paper, 16 x 16 in.
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Light the Way, 2018, graphite, oil based pencil on paper, 12 x 9 in.
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The Dull Age, 2017 - 2018, Pencil on Paper, 14 x 20 in.
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Demiurge, 2016, graphite, colored pencil on paper 20 x 14 in.
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Conversion, 2016, graphite, colored pencil on paper, 14 x 10 in.
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Inverted Star, 2018, graphite, colored pencil on paper, 6 1/2 x 5 in.
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Host, 2017, graphite, colored pencil on paper, 12 x 9 in.
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New Model, 2017, graphite, colored pencil on paper, 14 x 10 in.
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Woman with Modifier, 2017, graphite, colored pencil on paper, 14 x 11 in.
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Blue Rider, 2015, watercolor, graphite, colored pencil on paper, 14 x 11 in.
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Visage, 2017, graphite, colored pencil on paper, 8 1/2 x 7 in.
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Nature's Black Crown: Tales of Restoration
In this body of work, Curtis presents a complex series of illustrated fairytales that allude to a dark overarching narrative. Nature’s Black Crown reimagines the ecological catastrophe that devastated the midwest during the 1930’s, commonly referred to as the “Dust Bowl,” and through elaborate story telling, interpolates a dark universe that explores the relationship between man and nature.
Curtis’s intensive and detailed drawings are often sourced from found photographs, and are completed in graphite, colored pencil, watercolor and acrylic. Those drawn on antique paper or book covers, evoke a disquieting archaeological record of a bygone era, prophesizing our own corruption of power. Although the drawings are inspired by an actual historical event, the images are are derived from fictional narratives that the artist has written over the past ten years. Curtis states, “Rather than writing the story, I wanted to present it in a series of mysterious images to elicit the viewer's intuitive response.”
Curtis’s intensive and detailed drawings are often sourced from found photographs, and are completed in graphite, colored pencil, watercolor and acrylic. Those drawn on antique paper or book covers, evoke a disquieting archaeological record of a bygone era, prophesizing our own corruption of power. Although the drawings are inspired by an actual historical event, the images are are derived from fictional narratives that the artist has written over the past ten years. Curtis states, “Rather than writing the story, I wanted to present it in a series of mysterious images to elicit the viewer's intuitive response.”
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Christopher C. Curtis was born in 1981 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After high school Chris moved to San Francisco where he attended the Academy of Art University. While taking classes at the Academy, he gained an interest in the photo-real style of painting and pursued a similar style in his drawings. In 2004 Chris received a BFA from the Academy. Since then, Chris has exhibited his work in several group and solo shows throughout the United States. In 2015 he won the Acker Award in San Francisco for visual arts. He currently lives and works in Hendersonville, NC.
Curriculumn Vitea
Christopher C. Curtis was born in 1981 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After high school Chris moved to San Francisco where he attended the Academy of Art University. While taking classes at the Academy, he gained an interest in the photo-real style of painting and pursued a similar style in his drawings. In 2004 Chris received a BFA from the Academy. Since then, Chris has exhibited his work in several group and solo shows throughout the United States. In 2015 he won the Acker Award in San Francisco for visual arts. He currently lives and works in Hendersonville, NC.
Curriculumn Vitea