Chris Austin 'Give Yourself Space' Original Available

Artist: Chris Austin
Title: Give Yourself Space
Medium: Gouache on Wood
Size: 30 x 30 cm
Edition: UNIQUE
Prices: $2,160

Canadian artist Chris Austin, a self-taught painter and sculptor based in Toronto, is renowned for his surreal, vibrant artwork that blends unexpected elements of nature to explore themes of environmental change and interconnectedness. His unique visual style, which he describes as a "mash-up", draws inspiration from graffiti, collage, and sign writing, resulting in images that are both playful and introspective.

Austin's work often features majestic, sometimes feared, apex predators like sharks, bears, and orcas, placed in serene, unnatural, yet recognizable terrestrial landscapes such as forests or fields. He intentionally uses these surprising juxtapositions to challenge the viewer's perceptions of these animals, presenting them not as threats but as vital parts of a delicate ecosystem in need of protection. His paintings possess an otherworldly, luminous quality achieved through extensive experimentation with acrylic and gouache paints, a technique that he constantly refines through trial and error.

With a meticulous process grounded in research and photo references taken during his hikes, Austin's finished works often feature flat colors without volume or shadow, focusing instead on strong composition and color palettes. His art has been exhibited in galleries internationally.