Biography

What lies behind the faces that we show to the world is a constant theme for Adelaide Hills artist Chris Wake. Her latest exhibition plays with this idea in a carnival setting, with  jugglers, acrobats and magicians, even a nude opera diva, playing and cavorting through circus and outdoor scenes,  with masks on or at hand. The effect is droll and somehow disturbing.  Paintings are antipodean with characters have Nolanesque eyes that follow the viewer, or look sideways in unease or alarm.  Tilted heads turn away from each other creating a sense that in spite of the festive setting characters are caught in their own private and possibly nightmare universes.

These large oils on canvas exude a kind of wild energy, as if the characters are caught in a high wind. The fish eye perspective, the twisted glasses and bottles and fluid body shapes are reminiscent of Chagall.   Jugglers’ balls, a flying dog, a red dress, bring bright spots of colour to paintings that are otherwise rendered in neutral greys and browns. A strange raft of characters include extreme opera divas, karaoke Queens, Clowns, managing directors and sea captains.  Animals feature also - flying dogs, pandas and hyenas as a reminder that to live in harmony with other species.  Wake`s paintings encourage interaction with the viewer and always evoke a unique response, this is exactly what the artist is aiming to achieve with her work.

 Born in 1960 Wake has had more than 18 solo exhibitions and 40 group exhibitions some of which have been sell out shows.  And in August 2009 She was commissioned to do a painting for the FIFA World Cup 2010, representing Australia, it is the largest international fine art collaboration in history. Chris Wake studied Fine Art at Adelaide Central School of Art and has been painting since 1976.  Wake`s paintings are now much sought after by corporate and private collectors in Australia and internationally. 

A finalist in the 2008 Sovereign Asian Art Prize an important art prize covering the whole of Asia,  Wake was one of 30 selected out of over 1100 professional artists, paintings were exhibited at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, then Hong Kong for final judging –Eminent judges were from around the world including curators from Tate Modern, Guggenheim etc.  The paintings were then auctioned by Sothebys with Chris Wake`s painting “Dali is Not So Crazy” achieving the second highest price out of the 30 lots auctioned.

Participating in the Singapore Art Fair 2006 (showcasing collectable contemporary artworks from all over Asia) , Wake`s work was very well received. Her work is in private and corporate collections around Australia and overseas, including  Ahuja Art Museum, India  .  Chris Wake studied Fine Art at Adelaide Central School of Art and has been painting since 1976.  Wake`s paintings are now  sought after by corporate and private collectors in Australia and internationally. 

Fine art galleries representing Chris Wake :  Hong Kong – Southern  Exchange,  Singapore – Ode To Art, Sydney – Gallery At The Wentworth, Melbourne – Collins Street Gallery, Adelaide – Kensington Gallery,  Perth – Stafford Studios of Fine Art.

Artist Statement -"As an artist, I am compelled to go beyond a purely decorative visual connection between the artist and viewer, to a place where my work is a catalyst of  discussion, challenge, or humor.  My works insists the viewer interacts with the painting and I am fascinated by individuals reactions and interpretations.”

2012 – Art Monaco, Monte Carlo invited to exhibit at the Monaco Art Fair

2011- Piccadilly Studio, Wentworth Galleries, Southern Exchange Hong Kong, Group Exhibitions

2010 – FIFA World Cup & Largest International Fine Art collaboration in History, commissioned by 2010 Fine Art (appointed by FIFA) to do a painting for the World Cup in South Africa.  Leading contemporary artists from 32 countries are exhibiting and Chris Wake has been selected to represent Australia in South Africa. Group Exhibition Singapore, Ode To Art Gallery, Kensington Gallery. Solo exhibition Hentley Farm Wines Barossa Valley, SALA week exhibition.

2009 – “Global Rescue” solo exhibition Amelia Johnston Contemporary Hong Kong, curated by Georgie Bruce Southern Exchange.  Group exhibition Kensington Gallery.

2008 –Sovereign Asian Art Prize Exhibition at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Singapore, Solo exhibition 5OPT Gallery Hong Kong “Theatre of The Mind” . Solo Exhibition “While Waiting for Godot” Stafford Studios Perth, Solo exhibition Southern Exchange Hong Kong, Group exhibition Kensington Gallery “The Antipodeans” exhibition including Blackman, Boyd, Brack, Percival & selected gallery artists, Group exhibition “Women To Watch” Kensington  Gallery, Group exhibition Kensington Gallery SALA. Group exhibition House of Phillips Fine Art Sydney. Group exhibition Opera Gallery Singapore, Group exhibition Ward-Nasse Gallery New York.

2007 –Sell Out solo exhibition “Behind The Mask” Kensington Gallery Solo Exhibition, Group exhibitions- SALA festival Kensington Gallery Adelaide, Mizon Gallery Sydney, Stafford Studios Perth, Opera Gallery Singapore.

2006 – Sell out solo exhibition Singapore Art Fair, Maree Mizon Gallery solo exhibition, Opera Gallery, Royal South Australian Society of Arts 150th Anniversary Art Prize, Pembroke One Exhibition, Scotch College, Loreto College, SALA Week Kensington Gallery, Festival of Arts Adelaide Kensington Gallery.

2005 – Group exhibitions - Collins Street Gallery, Maree mizon Gallery, Kensington Gallery, SALA, Collins Street Gallery, Roy Morgan Research Collection, Group exhibitions -  Loreto College, St. Peters Cathedral, St. Catherines College.

2004 - Sell Out solo Exhibition – “Soiree` Entre Amis” at Collins Street Gallery, Melbourne . Roy Morgan Research collection, Lady Southey  AM collection.  Group exhibitions -  SALA week Kensington Gallery. Loreto and Scotch College.

2003 - Kelly series to be used alongside Sydney Nolan`s work for the "Kelly" theatre production by the Shortman cooperative, New Zealand Festival of Arts.  Group exhibitions -  First Settlement Gallery Sorrento, Marie Mizon Gallery Paddington, Kensington Gallery Adelaide, Loreto College.

2002 – Group exhibitions - Art Galleries Schubert Qld. The Boathouse Gallery Vic, Kensington Gallery- Commissioned by national publisher to paint a series of 10 works to be published as limited edition prints. Group exhibitions -  Loreto & Scotch College. Commissions from US and St. Pauls Church Glen Osmond. Two awards by the Royal South Australian Society of Arts.

2001 –Solo exhibition Chardonnay Lodge Coonarwarra, Guest Artist in residence at "The Cedars"" in  Nora Heysen`s studio to celebrate Heysen week. Heysen family collection, group exhibitions Kensington Gallery,  Delshan Gallery Vic. Greenhill Galleries. Finalist Fleurieu Biennale wine section juried exhibition.

2000 - solo exhibition - Special guest exhibition for the Melbourne International Flower and Garden show, Artist in residence Hahndorf Academy, corporate commissions  group exhibitions Kensington Gallery, Greenhill Gallery, Delshan Gallery.

1999 –Solo exhbition Adelaide Botanic Gardens- Yarrabee House “From The Garden”, Published prints and art    cards.  Group exhibitions -  Greenhill galleries, Riddoch Gallery, Ayers House, Seppeltsfield Winery.

1998 – Group exhibitions Greenhill Galleries, Wrote tutorial for Australian Artist magazine.

1997 - Solo exhibition Lombard Art Gallery, Seppeltsfield Winery, group exhibition Hahndorf  Academy

1994 - Adelaide Central School of Art,  group exhibitions, 1987 – 1994 various group exhibitions.

Biography

What lies behind the faces that we show to the world is a constant theme for Adelaide Hills artist Chris Wake. Her latest exhibition plays with this idea in a carnival setting, with  jugglers, acrobats and magicians, even a nude opera diva, playing and cavorting through circus and outdoor scenes,  with masks on or at hand. The effect is droll and somehow disturbing.  Paintings are antipodean with characters have Nolanesque eyes that follow the viewer, or look sideways in unease or alarm.  Tilted heads turn away from each other creating a sense that in spite of the festive setting characters are caught in their own private and possibly nightmare universes.

These large oils on canvas exude a kind of wild energy, as if the characters are caught in a high wind. The fish eye perspective, the twisted glasses and bottles and fluid body shapes are reminiscent of Chagall.   Jugglers’ balls, a flying dog, a red dress, bring bright spots of colour to paintings that are otherwise rendered in neutral greys and browns. A strange raft of characters include extreme opera divas, karaoke Queens, Clowns, managing directors and sea captains.  Animals feature also - flying dogs, pandas and hyenas as a reminder that to live in harmony with other species.  Wake`s paintings encourage interaction with the viewer and always evoke a unique response, this is exactly what the artist is aiming to achieve with her work.

 Born in 1960 Wake has had more than 18 solo exhibitions and 40 group exhibitions some of which have been sell out shows.  And in August 2009 She was commissioned to do a painting for the FIFA World Cup 2010, representing Australia, it is the largest international fine art collaboration in history. Chris Wake studied Fine Art at Adelaide Central School of Art and has been painting since 1976.  Wake`s paintings are now much sought after by corporate and private collectors in Australia and internationally. 

A finalist in the 2008 Sovereign Asian Art Prize an important art prize covering the whole of Asia,  Wake was one of 30 selected out of over 1100 professional artists, paintings were exhibited at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, then Hong Kong for final judging –Eminent judges were from around the world including curators from Tate Modern, Guggenheim etc.  The paintings were then auctioned by Sothebys with Chris Wake`s painting “Dali is Not So Crazy” achieving the second highest price out of the 30 lots auctioned.

Participating in the Singapore Art Fair 2006 (showcasing collectable contemporary artworks from all over Asia) , Wake`s work was very well received. Her work is in private and corporate collections around Australia and overseas, including  Ahuja Art Museum, India  .  Chris Wake studied Fine Art at Adelaide Central School of Art and has been painting since 1976.  Wake`s paintings are now  sought after by corporate and private collectors in Australia and internationally. 

Fine art galleries representing Chris Wake :  Hong Kong – Southern  Exchange,  Singapore – Ode To Art, Sydney – Gallery At The Wentworth, Melbourne – Collins Street Gallery, Adelaide – Kensington Gallery,  Perth – Stafford Studios of Fine Art.

Artist Statement -"As an artist, I am compelled to go beyond a purely decorative visual connection between the artist and viewer, to a place where my work is a catalyst of  discussion, challenge, or humor.  My works insists the viewer interacts with the painting and I am fascinated by individuals reactions and interpretations.”

2012 – Art Monaco, Monte Carlo invited to exhibit at the Monaco Art Fair

2011- Piccadilly Studio, Wentworth Galleries, Southern Exchange Hong Kong, Group Exhibitions

2010 – FIFA World Cup & Largest International Fine Art collaboration in History, commissioned by 2010 Fine Art (appointed by FIFA) to do a painting for the World Cup in South Africa.  Leading contemporary artists from 32 countries are exhibiting and Chris Wake has been selected to represent Australia in South Africa. Group Exhibition Singapore, Ode To Art Gallery, Kensington Gallery. Solo exhibition Hentley Farm Wines Barossa Valley, SALA week exhibition.

2009 – “Global Rescue” solo exhibition Amelia Johnston Contemporary Hong Kong, curated by Georgie Bruce Southern Exchange.  Group exhibition Kensington Gallery.

2008 –Sovereign Asian Art Prize Exhibition at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Singapore, Solo exhibition 5OPT Gallery Hong Kong “Theatre of The Mind” . Solo Exhibition “While Waiting for Godot” Stafford Studios Perth, Solo exhibition Southern Exchange Hong Kong, Group exhibition Kensington Gallery “The Antipodeans” exhibition including Blackman, Boyd, Brack, Percival & selected gallery artists, Group exhibition “Women To Watch” Kensington  Gallery, Group exhibition Kensington Gallery SALA. Group exhibition House of Phillips Fine Art Sydney. Group exhibition Opera Gallery Singapore, Group exhibition Ward-Nasse Gallery New York.

2007 –Sell Out solo exhibition “Behind The Mask” Kensington Gallery Solo Exhibition, Group exhibitions- SALA festival Kensington Gallery Adelaide, Mizon Gallery Sydney, Stafford Studios Perth, Opera Gallery Singapore.

2006 – Sell out solo exhibition Singapore Art Fair, Maree Mizon Gallery solo exhibition, Opera Gallery, Royal South Australian Society of Arts 150th Anniversary Art Prize, Pembroke One Exhibition, Scotch College, Loreto College, SALA Week Kensington Gallery, Festival of Arts Adelaide Kensington Gallery.

2005 – Group exhibitions - Collins Street Gallery, Maree mizon Gallery, Kensington Gallery, SALA, Collins Street Gallery, Roy Morgan Research Collection, Group exhibitions -  Loreto College, St. Peters Cathedral, St. Catherines College.

2004 - Sell Out solo Exhibition – “Soiree` Entre Amis” at Collins Street Gallery, Melbourne . Roy Morgan Research collection, Lady Southey  AM collection.  Group exhibitions -  SALA week Kensington Gallery. Loreto and Scotch College.

2003 - Kelly series to be used alongside Sydney Nolan`s work for the "Kelly" theatre production by the Shortman cooperative, New Zealand Festival of Arts.  Group exhibitions -  First Settlement Gallery Sorrento, Marie Mizon Gallery Paddington, Kensington Gallery Adelaide, Loreto College.

2002 – Group exhibitions - Art Galleries Schubert Qld. The Boathouse Gallery Vic, Kensington Gallery- Commissioned by national publisher to paint a series of 10 works to be published as limited edition prints. Group exhibitions -  Loreto & Scotch College. Commissions from US and St. Pauls Church Glen Osmond. Two awards by the Royal South Australian Society of Arts.

2001 –Solo exhibition Chardonnay Lodge Coonarwarra, Guest Artist in residence at "The Cedars"" in  Nora Heysen`s studio to celebrate Heysen week. Heysen family collection, group exhibitions Kensington Gallery,  Delshan Gallery Vic. Greenhill Galleries. Finalist Fleurieu Biennale wine section juried exhibition.

2000 - solo exhibition - Special guest exhibition for the Melbourne International Flower and Garden show, Artist in residence Hahndorf Academy, corporate commissions  group exhibitions Kensington Gallery, Greenhill Gallery, Delshan Gallery.

1999 –Solo exhbition Adelaide Botanic Gardens- Yarrabee House “From The Garden”, Published prints and art    cards.  Group exhibitions -  Greenhill galleries, Riddoch Gallery, Ayers House, Seppeltsfield Winery.

1998 – Group exhibitions Greenhill Galleries, Wrote tutorial for Australian Artist magazine.

1997 - Solo exhibition Lombard Art Gallery, Seppeltsfield Winery, group exhibition Hahndorf  Academy

1994 - Adelaide Central School of Art,  group exhibitions, 1987 – 1994 various group exhibitions.