2019

My artistic exploration is driven by the unique perspective of an autistic artist, delving into the intricate dynamics of our capitalist world. Through my work, I shed light on the often hidden, personal toll of economic systems, which I refer to as "economic violence." This exploration takes the form of a meditative response to the relentless onslaught of media consumption, targeted marketing, the constraints of socially embedded masculinity, and the dehumanization demanded by capitalism's relentless pursuit of profit.

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Rooted in the traditions of Dadaism and Magical Realism, I venture into the fusion of text and image, treating language as a powerful medium for my artistic expression. Within this creative tapestry lies a juxtaposition of the macabre and the whimsical, humorously self-deprecating but concealing a deep well of fear and pent-up frustration.

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I utilize vibrant, almost saccharine colors in excess, mirroring the world's obsession with extravagance. This visual abundance serves as a stark reminder of the uncomfortable truth: our society thrives on excess. I painstakingly layer and rework my drawings and paintings, embedding in them the anxiety, nervousness, and trepidation that permeate our grim reality. The textures in my work evoke the sensation of layers of cheap varnish applied to a slowly decaying palace, symbolizing the facade of opulence that surrounds us.

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I invite viewers to lean in and immerse themselves in the intricate details and labor invested in creating such decadence. It serves as a direct juxtaposition to the luxury that often surrounds us, a visual commentary on the stark contrast between creation and consumption.

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My artistic mission hinges on a delicate balance between engaging my audience with seemingly light-hearted humor and then forcing them to confront the harsh realities of our world. The closer they scrutinize my work, the more apparent it becomes that our lifestyle of wealth, leisure, and luxury is sustained at the expense of exploitation, greed, and even death. I acknowledge that many of my viewers may be participants in the very culture I critique, and their presence and engagement with my art serve as a source of cheeky irony in the reception of my work.

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In essence, my art offers a unique perspective on economic violence, capitalism's hidden costs, and the often grotesque realities masked by the pursuit of abundance and prosperity. It is an invitation to reflect, question, and provoke thought, all through the lens of an autistic artist's unfiltered viewpoint.

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Christopher Evans (b.1985, Schenectady, NY, USA) is an artist, educator, and writer.  Christopher holds an MA in Studio Arts from the University at Albany and a Masters in Fine Arts from the University of South Florida.  There is a heavy influence from teaching himself to draw by copying comic books and his anxiety from being raised with an apocalyptic evangelical worldview.  He draws from his own depression, anxiety, and unique evangelical upbringing.  His work is saturated with obviousness, grotesqueness, clichés, and bad jokes as he tries to navigate causations and contradictions through an abstract narrative visually. Christopher currently works and resides in Saratoga Springs, NY.

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