Chris Engman

Work and Play

April 4 - May 11, 2024

Opening Reception: “First Thursday,” April 4, 6-8pm
Artist talk: “Saturday After”, April 6 at noon

Greg Kucera Gallery is pleased to announce our fifth exhibition of photography by Los Angeles artist, Chris Engman. The artist creates labor-intensive alterations to interior settings by installing photographs to the walls, distorting our perceptions of the space. Recently the artist has introduced his son’s drawing and painting into the image. In some cases his son makes his marks directly onto the installed photographs. In other cases Engman uses the 5-year-old’s drawings as source material, altering and embellishing them as he applies them to his installations.

“I study his marks, I study him while he makes them. I watch the way he holds his paintbrush and sometimes, though not always, I hold mine in the same ways. Unlike him I step back to think about what I am doing. I measure and calculate, make landscapes and rooms, compose and prepare. I consider the meanings and metaphors. When I’m ready to make marks I push those considerations to a quieter part of my mind. I try to emulate his weasel-like lack of hesitation, his fanaticism, his joy and oblivion.”

— Chris Engman

Other photographs from Engman’s studio practice portray shelving loaded with art supplies, or a crumpled sheet of photo paper within a frame. They have a trompe l'oeil effect and appear to protrude out from the wall.

Work in exhibition