Info
STATEMENT
My paintings are oil on canvas and are about embracing the extreme beauty of the present in the maelstrom of modern society. Consisting of everyday objects, situations and actions they illustrate the often overlooked serene moments we routinely hurry by. Busyness, algorithms, the news media and capitalism are just a few of the things that can hide these instances from view. My hope is we pause, take notice and appreciate the extreme beauty surrounding on a daily basis as a protest against unnecessary greed, inhumane treatment of our neighbors and the destruction of our planet.
BIO
Chris Bakay is a painter living and working in Florida, USA. His work is informed by past personal experiences, current events and commentary on human nature. Bakay’s work has been included in solo and group exhibitions in New York, Austin, Indianapolis, Houston and Galveston. His work has been covered by High Snobiety, Business Insider and Design Taxi. In 2017, he was commissioned by Nike for a VaporMax sculpture for Air Max Day.
CV
Solo Exhibitions
2019 Stained Glass, Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, IN
2019 The Tangibility of Memory, Galveston Arts Center, Galveston, TX
Two-person Exhibition
2021 Stay A While, Krause Gallery, New York, NY
Group Exhibitions
2020 Emerging to Established (1/9-2/29), Krause Gallery, New York, NY
2019 Holiday Group Show, Fabrik Projects, Los Angeles, CA
2019 Summer Group Show, Fabrik Projects, Los Angeles, CA
2019 Emerging to Established (7/13-8/26), Krause Gallery, New York, NY
2019 Emerging to Established (1/5-2/26), Krause Gallery, New York, NY
2018 The Big Show, Lawndale Art Center, Houston, TX, (curated by Evelyn C. Hankins, PhD.)
2017 OVERNEATH, Northern-Southern Gallery, Austin, TX, (curated by Rachel Freeman)
2017 The Big Show, Lawndale Art Center, Houston, TX (curated by Toby Kamps)
2016 The Big Show, Lawndale Art Center, Houston, TX (curated by Apsara DiQuinzio and Tina Kukielski)
2014 Voids, Shadows and Believable Things (with Brad Nelson), Avis Frank Gallery, Houston, TX
Art Fairs
2020 Context Art Fair, Fabrik Projects Booth, Miami, FL
2020 Art Palm Springs, Fabrik Projects Booth, Palm Springs, CA
2020 LA Art Show, Fabrik Projects Booth, Los Angeles, CA
2019 Context Art Fair, Fabrik Projects Booth, Miami, FL
COMMISIONS
2017 Nike, clear VaporMax sculptures for Air Max Day, NYC
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Belluzi, Andrea. Interview, Fumo Gallery. April 4, 2020
Rodriguez, Helena. “Las Esculturas De Chris Bakay: Jerseys Jubilados”, Velvet Magazine Mexico Y Latino America, April 25 2019
Kurt, Ilkin, Interview, A Journal. May 9, 2018
Moloney, Tim. "Icy Hot", Local Houston Magazine. June 2017
Barrington, Molly. Interview, VexxdMagazine.com. March 31, 2017
Zierold, Ariadna. "Retired Jerseys by Chris Bakay", UpperPlayground.com. March 14, 2017
GUEST LECTURES
2018 The Big Slide Show, Lawndale Art Center, Houston, TX
2017 The Big Slide Show, Lawndale Art Center, Houston, TX
2016 The Big Slide Show, Lawndale Art Center, Houston, TX