Chris "Daze" Ellis
Sevil Dolmacı Istanbul presents American graffiti artist and painter Chris Daze Ellis’s first solo show in Turkey titled “People and Places," betwe November 24, 2023 and January 31, 2024. The show consists of Ellis’s productions in his studio in America and the works which he has created in Istanbul when he participated in the gallery’s art residency programme in 2022.
Christopher "Daze" Ellis
Indigo Pumpkin Picking, 2022
pastel acrylic and spray paint on arches paper
44 7/8 x 35 7/8 ins.
114 x 91 cm
Chris Daze Ellis is one of the few artists of his generation to make the successful transition from the subways to the studio. In the 1980s, DAZE was among the street artists supported by Andy Warhol and produced works and took part in group exhibitions with legendary artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Kenny Scharf and Futura. As an artist, Chris Daze Ellis’s main aim is to capture the everyday scenes, which he is either a part of or witness to in his daily life, and communicate his impressions and observations through his art. As its very name signifies, the exhibition is related to the people whom Ellis has observed on the buses, streets, and subways and the places which he has passed by as a part of his day-to-day commute in New York City, the fabled city nicknamed ‘the big apple.'
Christopher "Daze" Ellis
Ascent to 161st Street Station, 2022
pastel acrylic and spray paint on arches paper
44 7/8 x 35 7/8 ins.
114 x 91 cm
Through “People and Places,” the artist is inviting the viewer for a subway commute that might look pleasant from the outside but is no less chaotic and dysfunctional. The passengers might find themselves re-routed to a ‘not-so-pleasant’ place. One striking image the viewer sees is an empty subway seat which he paints purposefully to make it easier for the viewer to imagine themselves in that seat and become a part of the ride. Regarding the people in his works, they are neither photo-realistic nor comic renditions, but collected from the memories of those Daze has seen on the streets. In his own words, “they are the citizens he has passed by in a split second but who have made some kind of subconscious impression.”
The viewers are invited to become a part of and witness to Daze’s daily commute in New York City and create their own experience by either reconnecting to their own day-to-day journey in the cities they live in or using their imagination as to what kind of people, places, or stories they would run into on the buses, subways or streets.
Chris Daze Ellis (b.1962, New York) began his long and productive career painting the New York City subway cars in 1976 while attending the High School of Art and Design. Chris Daze Ellis is one of the few artists of his generation to make the successful transition from the subways to the studio.
Christopher "Daze" Ellis
Subway Transfer, 2022
pastel acrylic and spray paint on arches paper
44 7/8 x 35 7/8 ins.
114 x 91 cm
Christopher "Daze" Ellis
Untitled, 2022
pastel acrylic and spray paint on arches paper
44 7/8 x 35 7/8 ins.
114 x 91 cm
Christopher "Daze" Ellis
Indigo Pumpkin Picking, 2022
pastel acrylic and spray paint on arches paper
44 7/8 x 35 7/8 ins.
114 x 91 cm
Christopher "Daze" Ellis
April in Yellow Sweater, 2022
pastel acrylic and spray paint on arches paper
44 7/8 x 35 7/8 ins.
114 x 91 cm
Christopher "Daze" Ellis
Ascent to 161st Street Station, 2022
pastel acrylic and spray paint on arches paper
44 7/8 x 35 7/8 ins.
114 x 91 cm
Christopher "Daze" Ellis
One Eyed Cat of Istanbul, 2022
charcoal acrylic on arches paper
44 7/8 x 35 7/8 ins.
114 x 91 cm
Christopher "Daze" Ellis
Untitled, 2022
acrylic and spray paint on terracotta
15 x 12 5/8 x 12 5/8 ins.
38 x 32 x 32 cm
Christopher "Daze" Ellis
Untitled, 2022
acrylic and spray paint on terracotta
7 1/2 x 15 3/4 x 15 3/4 ins.
19 x 40 x 40 cm
Christopher "Daze" Ellis
Untitled, 2022
acrylic and spray paint on terracotta
19 3/4 x 16 1/2 x 16 1/2 ins.
50 x 42 x 42 cm
Christopher "Daze" Ellis
Untitled, 2022
acrylic and spray paint on terracotta
16 1/8 x 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 ins.
41 x 19 x 19 cm
Christopher "Daze" Ellis
Untitled, 2022
acrylic and spray paint on terracotta
28 x 11 3/4 x 11 3/4 ins.
71 x 30 x 30 cm
Christopher "Daze" Ellis
Untitled, 2022
acrylic and spray paint on terracotta
15 x 13 x 11 ins.
38 x 33 x 28 cm
Installation view, Chris Daze Ellis - People and Places, Sevil Dolmaci, İstanbul, 2023. Image courtesy of Sevil Dolmaci.
Installation view, Chris Daze Ellis - People and Places, Sevil Dolmaci, İstanbul, 2023. Image courtesy of Sevil Dolmaci.
Installation view, Chris Daze Ellis - People and Places, Sevil Dolmaci, İstanbul, 2023. Image courtesy of Sevil Dolmaci.
Installation view, Chris Daze Ellis - People and Places, Sevil Dolmaci, İstanbul, 2023. Image courtesy of Sevil Dolmaci.
Installation view, Chris Daze Ellis - People and Places, Sevil Dolmaci, İstanbul, 2023. Image courtesy of Sevil Dolmaci.
Installation view, Chris Daze Ellis - People and Places, Sevil Dolmaci, İstanbul, 2023. Image courtesy of Sevil Dolmaci.
Installation view, Chris Daze Ellis - People and Places, Sevil Dolmaci, İstanbul, 2023. Image courtesy of Sevil Dolmaci.
Installation view, Chris Daze Ellis - People and Places, Sevil Dolmaci, İstanbul, 2023. Image courtesy of Sevil Dolmaci.
Installation view, Chris Daze Ellis - People and Places, Sevil Dolmaci, İstanbul, 2023. Image courtesy of Sevil Dolmaci.
Installation view, Chris Daze Ellis - People and Places, Sevil Dolmaci, İstanbul, 2023. Image courtesy of Sevil Dolmaci.
Installation view, Chris Daze Ellis - People and Places, Sevil Dolmaci, İstanbul, 2023. Image courtesy of Sevil Dolmaci.
Installation view, Chris Daze Ellis - People and Places, Sevil Dolmaci, İstanbul, 2023. Image courtesy of Sevil Dolmaci.
Installation view, Chris Daze Ellis - People and Places, Sevil Dolmaci, İstanbul, 2023. Image courtesy of Sevil Dolmaci.
Installation view, Chris Daze Ellis - People and Places, Sevil Dolmaci, İstanbul, 2023. Image courtesy of Sevil Dolmaci.
Installation view, Chris Daze Ellis - People and Places, Sevil Dolmaci, İstanbul, 2023. Image courtesy of Sevil Dolmaci.
Installation view, Chris Daze Ellis - People and Places, Sevil Dolmaci, İstanbul, 2023. Image courtesy of Sevil Dolmaci.
Installation view, Chris Daze Ellis - People and Places, Sevil Dolmaci, İstanbul, 2023. Image courtesy of Sevil Dolmaci.
Installation view, Chris Daze Ellis - People and Places, Sevil Dolmaci, İstanbul, 2023. Image courtesy of Sevil Dolmaci.
Installation view, Chris Daze Ellis - People and Places, Sevil Dolmaci, İstanbul, 2023. Image courtesy of Sevil Dolmaci.
Installation view, Chris Daze Ellis - People and Places, Sevil Dolmaci, İstanbul, 2023. Image courtesy of Sevil Dolmaci.
Installation view, Chris Daze Ellis - People and Places, Sevil Dolmaci, İstanbul, 2023. Image courtesy of Sevil Dolmaci.