Chris Lukas Maier

Local Topography

Having grown up in a community with extreme wealth inequality, I have been witness to rapidly increasing economic instability and the many stigmas that are associated with it. I believe the exponential segregation between owning and working class people, the ever-expanding productivity-pay gap, and the always lowering quality of life that everyday people experience are some of the most important issues facing the world today. In order to reflect these experiences in a localized format, all of the materials used in the piece were collected within a five minute walk of my living space.

Artist Biography

Chris is a multimedia artist who works primarily in painting, sculpture, and installation. They are Canadian-German having spent significant time in what was formerly the DDR. They were born, and currently reside on Treaty 7 Land. Chris has grown up in the city and is actively engaged with many forms of art outside of their studio, as well as politics, and sport. Having grown up in the city interested in graffiti and urban textures, as well as being deeply knowledgable of the natural world, it is no surprise that Chris's work is informed by harsh contrast and juxtaposition.

Artist statement

Growing up in the city has always inspired my work. The colours, textures, and compositions of graffiti, walls that have been painted over dozens of times, scratched mirrors and windows, and the otherwise unseen textures of the urban landscape have always intrigued me. Having spent a very significant amount of time in Dessau-Roßlau Germany (Former home of the Bauhaus School) I was always inspired by the extreme contrast between modern/minimalist and traditional styles. I am also extremely interested in nature, climate science, and political science, all of which deeply inform my work. Being an avid aquarist, I also grew a deep appreciation for the natural compositions found in the world.

How did you start your art practice?

My father is a guitarist, and his brother is a painter so I have always been surrounded by arts, but I never thought to make my own visual art until I discovered graffiti. I would always notice new tags and throwies appearing and disappearing on my way to school almost every day. I always wondered who wrote them and why, but for whatever reason I knew I liked it. After learning how to write graffiti eventually I also became interested in fine art, painting and selling canvases to friends in school. Years later after nearly being kicked out of university as a history major due to poor grades, I decided to pursue visual studies and work on my art full time.

Instagram: @chrismaierart