Oregon sculptor Chris Gander works intuitively exploring illusion and spatial relationships with minimal line and form. For this exhibition, he welds in stainless steel building up forms based in geometry. By skewing the elements asymmetrically, the artist pushes their meaning and presence. The shapes activate their space in a somewhat humorous way, while creating an architectonic aloofness that is simultaneously familiar yet inexplicable. These coolly monochromatic structures use economical terms to create a meditative and modern impression. Along with freestanding sculpture, drawings will be shown.
A native to the Northwest, Chris Gander graduated from the Pacific Northwest College of Art in 1986. He has taught art at PNCA from 1992 to present as well as at Portland State University and the Pont-Aven School of Contemporary Art in France. He was included in the Oregon Biennial in 1991 and ’95 and in the Tacoma Art Museum's Big Objects invitational in 1991.
In 2006, his work was included in “Convergence” at the Tollhouse Art Center in Kirkcudbright, Scotland. His work is in various collections, including the Portland Art Museum; Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Willamette University, Salem, OR; Hillsboro County Court House, OR; the Philip Morris Companies, New York; Safeco Corp., Seattle, WA; Tacoma Art Museum, WA; and Washington County Public Services Building, Hillsboro, OR.