Chris Davis, in his first exhibition at Carter Burden Gallery, presents masterfully intricate and multi-layered, laser-cut, painted wood works inspired by Asian, Islamic, and Western designs in the exhibition Layers of Dimension. These dynamic pieces display interplay between organic and geometric, symmetry and asymmetry, positive and negative space.
Images emerge in the abstract forms that reference the linear and natural movement of branches in a tree. In reference to his process Chris Davis states, “Not being entirely in control requires that we be fully conscious and honest.” In the piece They Emerged Dancing, the design is a tree splitting in four directions. The title refers the Bodhisattvas of the Earth who exuberantly emerged from the Earth with the firm resolve to awaken human society to the greatness of the human spirit. Davis explains, “the piece went from chaos to resolution” which “demanded resolve and exuberance.”
New York born, Brooklyn based artist Chris Davis, received a BFA, with a concentration in Printmaking, from the Pratt Institute and an MA in Biology from City College of New York. The son of an acclaimed painter, Noel Rockmore, Davis has been a life long artist, as well as an Art, Earth Science and Astronomy teacher. His exhibitions include solo and group shows at Anthony Philip Fine Arts, Greenpoint Gallery Brooklyn, The Emerson, Fillmore Gallery, Pratt Institute among others.