About
Statement
Chris Bakay makes oil paintings of digitally reinterpreted 17th century Dutch Golden Age works. By replacing earth-tones with luscious, saturated colors, the scenes are transformed into something other-worldly. In doing so, the new works serve as allegories for appreciating beauty as an act of subversion in today’s world.
Bio
Chris Bakay is a self-taught painter living and working in Florida, USA. His work is informed by current events and commentary on human nature. Bakay’s work has been included in solo and group exhibitions in New York, Austin, Indianapolis and Houston. His work has been covered by High Snobiety, Business Insider and Design Taxi.
From 2016-2020, he worked in sculpture. His clear resin t-shirts, shoes, etc. garnered widespread attention. In 2021, he began teaching himself to paint. He developed his own technique that blends methods of the old masters with the materials of the modern day.
CV
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2019 Stained Glass, Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, IN
2019 The Tangibility of Memory, Galveston Arts Center, Galveston, TX
TWO-PERSON EXHIBITIONS
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
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
Zaidenweber, Arianna. “Chris Bakay Is Turning Supreme Tees Into Translucent Artworks” HighSnobiety.com. Oct, 30, 2018
Leow, Mikelle. “It’s 2018, But These Reimagined Streetwear Staples Are Already Living In 3018”, DesignTaxi.com. Oct 29, 2018
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
Commissions
2017 Nike, clear VaporMax sculptures for Air Max Day, NYC
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