Chris Denovan

There is an unmistakable confidence to Chris Denovan's paintings.
Whether depicting a contemporary sitter, a mythological figure or a character drawn from his imagination, his work commands attention. The figures look back at us with a sense of self-possession that is difficult to ignore. At the same time, there is often an underlying vulnerability that makes the work deeply human.
Portraiture has long been at the heart of Denovan's practice. Over the years he has built a reputation for creating paintings that move beyond simple likeness, capturing something of the character, strength and complexity of the people he paints.
Working in oil, acrylic and spray paint, he combines carefully observed realism with expressive mark-making, creating paintings that feel both immediate and timeless.

While many of Denovan's works are rooted in portraiture, they are rarely straightforward representations.
Colour, texture and abstraction all play an important role in the final image. Layers of paint are built up and broken down, allowing unexpected marks and gestures to become part of the finished work. The result is work that feels alive, carrying traces of both intention and discovery.
This balance between control and spontaneity is one of the qualities that makes his paintings so engaging.

Themes of beauty, confidence, strength and identity run throughout Denovan's work.
His subjects are often presented with dignity and presence, inviting viewers to spend time with them rather than simply observe them. Whether painting a friend, a model or a symbolic figure, he approaches each work with curiosity and empathy.
The paintings encourage us to consider how identity is constructed, expressed and perceived.

Although Denovan first became widely recognised for his portraiture, his recent work has expanded into broader explorations of landscape, symbolism and the relationship between people and place.
Figures, birds, riders and imagined environments appear throughout newer bodies of work, creating paintings that feel at once contemporary, dreamlike and deeply personal.
This willingness to evolve while remaining committed to painting has made Denovan one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary South African art.

Collectors are often drawn to Chris Denovan's work because of its combination of technical skill, emotional depth and visual impact. His paintings work beautifully within contemporary interiors while continuing to reveal new details and meanings over time.

Chris Denovan (b. 1983) is a South African visual artist who lives and works between South Africa and Puglia, Italy.

Best known for his contemporary portraiture, Denovan's practice explores identity, beauty, strength and the human condition through painting. His work combines elements of realism and abstraction, creating images that feel both personal and universal. Since presenting his first solo exhibition with StateoftheART in 2015, Denovan has gone on to establish a significant exhibition history, presenting numerous solo exhibitions and participating in major events including the Investec Cape Town Art Fair, RMB Latitudes Art Fair and exhibitions at Zeitz MOCAA. He was a finalist in the Sanlam Portrait Award and, in 2016, became the first non-Danish artist commissioned to paint the chairman of the International Dairy Federation in Copenhagen. His work is held in private collections across South Africa, Europe and Scandinavia.

Selected Exhibitions:

Which new trends or South African artists do you find inspiring at the moment?
I'm the least trendy person in the world. Me as a trend is my favourite right now.
Ngobeni Blessing.
Simphiwe Ndzube.

Which South African deceased artist do you most admire and why?
Thats a hard one. I’d say Alexis Prellers. His work is complex, detailed and very unusual.

If you could only have one piece of art in your life, what would it be?
Any of my dear late Mothers work would be great!

Pick three artists who you would be honored to exhibit with – and why
My Mom, Doron Langberg, Egon Shiele.

How did you get started? Did you always want to be an artist?
Ya I always wanted to be an artist. I had alot of encouragment and so I started and then I stopped and then I started again!

What are some of the key themes you explore in your work?
Beauty, Confidence, Strength, Power

What should people know about your art that they can’t tell from looking at it?
I dance and sing a lot while making my artworks.

Tell us more about your creative process.
Magicians never reveal their secrets.

Do you believe an artist should use their platform to influence society? Why?
Yes Sure. Art can influence society by changing opinions, instilling values and translating experiences across space and time

Do you have a favourite or most meaningful work?
A Portrait I did of my Parents when I was younge

What is your greatest achievement as an artist to date?
After giving up art I’d say my best achievment was getting back into and sticking in it.

What are your aspirations for the future?
World Domination.

 

Read more in a studio visit and interview with Chris Denovan (2018)