The illusion of three-dimensions in the paintings of Chris Berens is not just by the shading and line work, or by his technique of painting on layers of emulsions, but by the patterns within the painting that subtly separate the image. In most of his pieces the portrait is divided by numerous square tiles that lie upon each other to complete an entire image. These cloudy landscapes appear to be manufactured by the nostalgic meditation of a dream. Naturally the paintings can be seen as a whole but each square within the framework is a window into another otherworldly backdrop. These squares are drawn by the lines of consciousness that divide our awareness of a particular experience. Imagine placing such squares upon your current setting and seeing the space being divided. Would this not enhance the beauty of particular objects now that they stand pronounced in individual form as opposed to blending into the horizons blurred at the corners of your eyes?
Atreyu- Son of All
The philosophical depth of Chris Berens is the transparent space between two objects that are seen. His process of painting on layers of emulsions creates the subtle space of air. The square lines texture the painting with spaces that either brings the image forward or pushes the image backward. The paintings are intentionally slightly out of focus like a fog that veils the hard lines of light and shadow, distorting the concept of time.
Luck Dragon Takes Flight
His new series “Nethermoor” inspired by Michael Ende’s fantasy novel Die Unendliche Geschichte (The Neverending Story), further explores the infinite landscape of imagination. It is a place where time and direction have neither beginning nor ending, or as he explains, “Day and night do not necessarily happen in succession, forests can seem endless to a traveler or an effortless pass through to the next landscape, and landmarks signify a phenomenon, an episode, a circumstance or incident rather than a geographical place.”
Chris Berens “Nethermoor”
February 5th – 28th
Roq La Rue Gallery
532 1st Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98104
Heather
The Swamp’s of Sadness
The Puddler
The Wandering Mountain
He Who Has No World Of His Own, But Is Able To In And Out Of Many
Lil’ Lady O’ The Forest
Xayide- Commander of All Things Empty
Moonchild- The Childlike Empress
Yor- The Blind Miner
