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Chris Berens

An exhibition of marvellous new paintings by Dutch artist Chris Berens. In his first solo exhibition in Japan in seven and a half years, he invites the viewer into a subtle and profound alien world, where light and shadow intersect.

 

MEGUMI OGITA GALLERY is pleased to present “THE GREAT BELOW”, a solo exhibition by Chris Berens. In 1999, Berens completed his illustration studies at the Academy of Art & Design in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands. He shot to fame in 2005 with his first major solo exhibition at Jaski Gallery in Amsterdam and has since exhibited worldwide, including at MEGUMI OGITA GALLERY in Tokyo (2013, 2016), New York, Los Angeles, Seattle and Singapore. He has also designed the cover of Blondie’s album “Panic of Girls”, released in 2011.

Dates

April 5-27, 2024

Noon-6pm

Closed on Sunday and Monday

Opening Reception

*Artist to be present

 April 4, 6-8pm

MEGUMI OGITA GALLERY

2-16-12 B1 Ginza Chuo-ku Tokyo 104-0061 Japan

THE GREAT BELOW

Berens paints details in fine brush and ink on small pieces of paper, then attaches another piece of paper and paints over and over again, which causes him to suffer from tendonitis, and yet he is elaborately able to construct the entirety of his work. In addition to his hand-painting technique, which makes imaginary landscapes come to life, and his unique expression of nostalgia through out-of-focus and lens distortion effects, which are supported by a high level of concentration, in recent years he has also made digital image creation part of his technique. Berens’ portraits, which also show the influence of Rembrandt and Johannes Vermeer, are like a subtle and profound alien world, where light and shadow intersect beyond time and space. Meanwhile, he cites the belief in spirits and fantasy in traditional Japanese culture as one of his inspirations.

 

The exhibition will feature 32 new paintings, mixed media on panel. With each brushstroke, Berens’ work seems to grow through repeated cell division, speaking to the viewer as an organism that connects the artist’s inner world with reality. We hope you expect to see the work of continuous pursuit of his own expression. An opening reception will also be held on April 4, 6-8pm and the artist will be present.

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Children of the Night The Start of Something Good

2024

25 x 18 cm

Mixed media on panel

When a deep rumble emerges from your inner core. When you get the unsettling feeling of something watching you, hiding in the shadows. Take a moment and listen closely. It might just be us. We are the creatures in the corner of your eyes. We are that feeling of a sweet missing, that profound yearning for a time and a place that never was. We are here. Always have been, always will be. There is no need to be afraid. We have been waiting for you. Now that we found you, we will never leave you. Just take our hand and dive. You’re home now. Welcome to the Great Below.

- Chris Berens

Visiting Hour

2024

36 x 26 cm

Mixed media on panel

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Chris Berens creates 'Observation Deck' (Mount Fuji) by Hans Quatfass

Chris Berens

Biography

1999 The Academy of Art and Design in 's-Hertogenbosch
1976 Born in Oss, the Netherlands

Solo Exhibitions

2024 THE GREAT BELOW, MEGUMI OGITA GALLERY / Tokyo, Japan

2023 HEX, Jaski Gallery / Amsterdam, the Netherlands

2022 The Hug Squad – New Dawn, Jaski Gallery / Amsterdam, the Netherlands

2020 The Hug Squad, Jaski Gallery / Amsterdam, the Netherlands

2019 Feniks, Jaski Gallery / Amsterdam, the Netherlands

2016 Chris Berens, a Modern Jeroen Bosch, Museum Jan Cunen / Oss, the Netherlands

2016 Moonrise, MEGUMI OGITA GALLERY / Tokyo, Japan
2015 2015,
Jaski Gallery / Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2015 Nethermoor, Roq la Rue / Seattle, WA
2014 NENSHA, Japan Museum SieboldHuis /  Leiden, the Netherlands
2014 Unmarked, B2OA / 
New York, NY
2013 Nensha, MEGUMI OGITA GALLERY / Tokyo, Japan

_Chris Working 3.jpg
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