Writing a little biography for the other artist in the household - Mr C. I find it hard to write about my own practice, the reasons I create and the everyday that feeds its way into the art. So I thought I’d have a bash at a quick bio for Chris, seeing the things he’s too close to and putting the pieces together. Hope he likes it :)
CopyRight.
British seaside towns are a mix of nostalgia. The grandeur of the Victorian era boom blended with bright lights, buzzing arcades, colourful candy floss and sticks of rock. It’s this assimilation that CopyRight brings into his artistic practice. Taking stories from the past and transforming them using contemporary motifs and influences of PopArt, to create a modern romanticism through his paintings.
Born in the early 80’s, on Friday the 13th CopyRight grew up in a seaside town near Bristol. A childhood love of hero’s and villains, comic books and cartoons influenced a love of drawing and making from a young age. Part of the MTV generation lead CopyRight to experiment with film making and he completed a degree in Media Studies at Plymouth University but he never deviated from his passion for painting. Influenced by artists such as Andy Warhol, CopyRight wanted explore larger, multiples of an image. While living in London in 2003 he would begin to experiment with stencils and start taking his art to the streets. The first image he created was the ‘rose’. These were quick to paint and easy to transport. Appearing in alley ways and abandoned sites in cities across the UK. A juxtaposition of beauty, a symbol for romance, existing in dark, unloved spaces. These themes are still present in his work today. Now his work has transitioned from the streets to the gallery. Pushing his work forward, mixing new materials and techniques, still with his original trademark style.
Over nearly two decades CopyRight has exhibited his work worldwide, including solo shows in London, Chicago and Tokyo.
His highly stylised paintings have featured in publications including Harpers Bazaar and Teen Vogue and he was featured on series 8 of the BBC show ‘The Apprentice’.