Biography

Chris DeKnikker uses salvaged wood from construction projects, discarded furniture or trimmed trees and shrubs to create environmental wall sculptures that explore the relationship between natural and artistic beauty.  He was born and raised in Chico, California, where he learned woodworking at the bench of his grandfather, a carpenter.  Chris has always been fascinated with the process of transforming raw, natural substances and the different kinds of use that result from this process.

He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design from Oregon State University, then moved to Denver in 2003, where he completed a master’s degree in landscape architecture at the University of Colorado, Denver.  

His work in that field helped him realize the possibilities that lie at the intersection of art and nature.  Chris now sculpts full-time, reclaiming wasted or underused resources in his art, finding new ways to make use of old wood.  He lives in Colorado with his wife and son.

Exhibitions

August 2009        Namaste Hospice Gallery   Denver, CO

June 2011           Weilworks - Lumber, Twigs & Sawdust: An Introduction to Chris DeKnikker   Denver, CO

August 2011        Denver Modernism Juried Art Show   Denver, CO

November 2011   Art Center of Estes Park - Lines into Shapes   Estes Park, CO   (Founders Award)

December 2011   Downtown Aurora Visual Arts - Wonderland   Aurora, CO

February 2012     SPARK Gallery - Guilty Pleasure   Denver, CO   (Honorable Mention Award)

March 2012         CORE New Art Space - WOW show   Denver, CO   (Honorable Mention Award)

October 2012       Walker Fine Art - "Me Water" & "Within"   Denver, CO  

Jan.-Mar. 2013    Arvada Center - Art of the State   Arvada, CO   (Kirkland Museum Award)