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GOOGLEMAPS
CHRIS BERENS PERMANENT COLLECTION
Diaspora 2012 Graphite and ink on paper on panel 148 x 111 cm
As a child, Chris Berens’ (1976) mind often wan-
Berens’ first significant solo show was at Jaski Art
dered off into his own fantasy world, a realm full of
Gallery in Amsterdam in 2005. After that, three more
adventure, haunting scenery and mysterious and
exhibitions at Jaski followed: Zilver, The Heaven Show
enchanting creatures. His drive to recreate and share
and Delicate. Along with Delicate, his second book was
this hidden realm led him to study illustration at the
released. 99 copies of the book were accompanied by
Academy of Art and Design in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, from
unique miniature paintings.
which he graduated in 1999. He went on to work as a
Go West, his first show in the United States followed in
freelance illustrator and animator, and set up his stu-
December of 2008 at at RoqlaRue Gallery, Seattle. The
dio in an abandoned building in the countryside near
show was a sold out success.
his hometown. In his spare time, Berens continued to
In the summer of 2009 Chris was honored with a
develop and perfect his own complex and time con-
retrospective at the Noord Brabants Museum in ‘s-
suming painting technique that would allow him to
Hertogenbosch and in the winter of 2009/2010, he
bring to life this inner world.
had his first New York show at Sloan Fine Art Gallery.
The artist started to paint details that sprang from
The exhibition Leeuwenhart in Seattle and Jaski Am-
his daydreams over and over again on the coated layer
sterdam in 2010 was followed by the publication of
of a glossy paper, using ink and different types of var-
the book Mapping Infinity, published together with
nish. He then cut out fragments, separated the coated
Jaski Art Gallery. Deborah Harry, an avid admirer of
layer from the underlying paper, and stacked and uni-
Berens’ work asked him to design the album cover for
fied them on a larger panel, assembling his subjects
the new Blondie album Panic of Girls. In October 2013,
and narratives piece by piece. Through this technique,
Chris Berens will have his first solo-exhibition in Tokyo
his images appear slightly blurred, a kind of tilt-shift
and currently preparations for a documentary about
effect which adds to their mysterious appeal. It is like
his life and work are underway.
looking at the artists’ fantasy world through a magic lens.
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