CHRIS ULRICH

I have always been interested in what lies beneath the surface.  When one investigates events that go on in the world sometimes the most benign stories can turn out to be something so much more interesting.  In my painting body of work I try to explore what a painting has to offer beyond the two-dimensional surface illusion.  I use the language of painting in a way that goes beyond just the plane that exists between the edges of the frame.  Instead, create a plane that both extends and retreats in space allowing the viewer to experience what is on, below, and behind the canvas strata.  I create paintings that cause a sense of discovery and curiosity in the fluidity of paint in the three dimensional world.  When it comes to my installation work I pull the ideas from the paintings and move it into a more analytical view of the subject matter.  This can range from a formal investigation of sound and space, to a reinterpretation of real life interactions.  The idea of simulation and simulacra play a strong influence on which direction I want the installations to go.  The goal is to find the fine line between the two.  I was born and raised in Colorado.  I received my MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art, a Post-Baccalaureate from the Museum School of Fine Arts in Boston, and my BFA in Painting from Colorado State University.  The one experience in life that showed me as long as you try things will somehow turn out, is when I was able to make it from Dublin, Ireland back to Rome in two days with 5 euros, a can of sauerkraut, a maxed out credit card, and a warm Redbull.