Historic Costumes, Crumpled Cars

International artist Chris Klein is coming to Westland Gallery for a 3 week exhibition!

Chris’ Costume Series is an extension of his career in theatre. He began working in London UK on major West End and Broadway shows. In 1999, Klein moved to Canada and accepted the post of Head of Scenic Art at the Stratford Festival in 2007. 

​It was here in Stratford, inspired by their extensive costume warehouses, that Chris began his costume series. The collection has expanded to feature costumes from other theatres including the NAC in Ottawa where Chris currently works as Head of Scenic Art. Chris also uses film and TV as inspiration including the Radio Canada collection in Montreal and specific designer collections.

Chris is a meticulous and realistic painter. His work draws attention to the exquisite details on the garments and successfully illustrates the weight and texture of the fabric. He uses rich colour to create luscious and decadent paintings.

This past summer, Klein traveled to Europe to work with a designer based in Switzerland. On this trip he arranged visits with the curators of the Victoria and Albert Museum and with the Historic Royal Palaces in London UK. He took hundreds of photos of their vast archives, and came home to begin painting costumes by famous designers, historic and period pieces worn by British monarchy, and even pieces dating to 1673 worn by King James II for his wedding.
 
The first two works inspired by this trip will be included in the exhibition at Westland Gallery. One painting features a dress designed by Zandra Rhodes, a famous British designer who has completed work for many celebrities and Royalty. The second piece shows beachwear worn by Princess Margaret and a debutante dress.

In contrast to the elegant costume paintings are those in Klein’s, “Second Hand” series. For these works, Chris studies recycled materials and scrapped cars and uses the same detailed techniques to capture the folds of the steel and twisted metals and plastics. The similarities between the draped fabrics and crushed metals create and interesting dialogue of unanticipated similarities and stark contrast. The second hand series can be read as an example of artistic adventure and exploration, as a meticulous still life study of light and shadow, or as a statement about our urban landscape and our society’s treatment of the environment.

In the past 2 years, Klein has shown in New York, Art Basel Miami, Montreal, Toronto, Stratford, Romania and Portugal. This year he was invited to be part of a curated show in Houston, participated in a group show in Stratford and Montreal.
 
Chris Klein’s exhibition runs from October 3rd to October 21st. The opening reception will be Friday, October 6th at 7 pm and an Artist Talk will be held on Sunday October 8th at 1 pm.