Chris Lukas Maier
Unititled (Cityscape 2), Oil on Birch Board, 40 in. x 60 in
ARTIST STATEMENT
Chris Lukas Maier’s paintings take inspiration from the spontaneity, vibrancy, and movement that exist within the textures of walls that are otherwise forgotten. The often disregarded marks Maier chooses to replicate stand as reminders of the collective stories of people living within urban spaces. Maier is Inspired by the calligraphic spontaneity of Informalism and the clinically segmented structure of Minimalism. The gestural application of elliptical scratches and gradual buildup of layers and textures in this body of work imply the ephemerality of urban marks and stories in relation to the evanescent passage of time.
Artist Biography
Chris is a fourth year honours student completing a degree in Visual Studies at the University of Calgary with a specialization in painting and mixed media work. They have given art history lectures at the University of Calgary, and exhibited work in local public institutions including Contemporary Calgary, The Nickle Galleries, and nvrlnd arts foundation. Recently, they had two works chosen by the City of Calgary and Calgary Transit to be part of the Bus Rapid Transit Shelter artwork program. In 2023 they were the recipient of the Kathleen and Russell Lane Canadian Art Award. They have also facilitated painting classes and workshops with the Alcove Centre for the Arts, and Ruberto Ostberg Gallery.
Untitled (Cityscape 2)
Chris Lukas Maier’s paintings take inspiration from the spontaneity, vibrancy, and movement that exist within the textures of walls that are otherwise forgotten. The often disregarded marks Maier chooses to replicate stand as reminders of the collective stories of people living within urban spaces. The calligraphic spontaneity of Informalism and the clinically segmented structure of Minimalism inspires Maier. The gestural application of elliptical scratches and gradual buildup of layers and textures in this body of work implies the ephemerality of urban marks and stories in relation to the evanescent passage of time.