November 2023

Chris Moore

states of being

Opening reception: Saturday November 4th, 4p.m. - 7p.m.

Mid Month Reception: November 19th, 2-4:30 pm

Chris Moore’s “state of being” exhibit is based on his art process progression. To quote Moore: “This show title is meant to indicate there are multiple states of being, and my art process is a ‘constant continuing’. I use from ‘before’ to inform ‘what’s ahead’. . . slow but fluid.”As the original drummer of Detroit’s Negative Approach, one of Moore’s duties included creating flyers for the band’s performances. Chris was 15 years old at the time when h began creating art and experimenting in printmaking. Since then Moore has continued working in both of these overlapping fronts; composing music and creating art work. Today, Chris is a multi-instrumentalist and award-winning singer-songwriter with multiple recordings and collaborations to is credit. He teaches songwriting, drums and guitar and lives in Brooklyn, NY His 10th solo release, the song EP “Sunday Painter” was released in May 2019.

In his current body of visual artwork, Moore rewrites lyrics culled from over 25 years of his songwriting catalogue, transforming them into colorful constructions of densely overlapping phrases which take on new life as painted pictures. The works express an obsessive need to communicate through the representation of many layers of words to both viewer and listener. The work carries an ebb and flow between the lyrics, windows of light and cracked spaces that hint at possibilities of loss as well as new inspiration. They vibrate with color, creating subtle shifts in mood and tone. Discipline and rigorous work ethic are crucial to Moore’s prolific musical output, as well as to his visual art, and this methodical, meticulous approach is evident.

Moore has performed his music both as a member of groups and solo throughout the USA, Canada and Europe. He was also chosen to participate in the landmark 2007 presentation 77 Boa Drum the Japanese experimental collective Boredoms, which was staged at Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. It was later the subject of a documentary and limited edition commemorative book. Moore’s visual art has been featured in numerous group shows in New York and Detroit. He has participated in Brooklyn’s Open Source Auctions and AT Court Tree Collective and Gowanus Open Studios.

Moore’s work is also featured on 6 different designs for Chicago’s Character Skateboard Artist Series and featured in ‘Dope Hookers and Pavement’, a documentary about the Detroit punk scene.