Bio
Born in Sacramento California 1961
American River College: Associate of arts degree focusing on oil painting and watercolor. Graduated 1985
California State University: One Year study of figure drawing and painting through 1986
California College of Arts: B.F.A. in individualized program studying drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture. Graduated 1988
I have been showing my art in central and northern California since 1986, shifting from 2D art to assemblage sculpture in 1989
Process
Thrift Stores, flea markets, junk yards: these are places you might find me rummaging over display tables or inside water stained boxes, looking for any object that asks me politely to take it home. I place my excavations on dusty shelves where they may sit for years waiting to be put to use.
My sculptures are created in a similar way. I start by instinctively choosing objects. The artwork defines itself as these seemingly unrelated items are constructed. Sometimes the concept is clear, other times I have to wait for it to be finished to find the meaning. This subliminal way of working preserves the mystery and spontaneity in my art, managing to keep the process fresh.
My art represent oddities I have discovered stumbling around the attic of my subconscious, touching on the hidden secrets that find their way to the surface. My hope is that the viewer will be inspired, disturbed, amused, intrigued, or at least curious about what I have created.- Christopher Bales
Exhibitions
Restless Garden: Group Exhibition, Modern Eden Gallery, 2026 San Francisco
CHRISxKRYS: Christopher Bales and Krystopher Sapp, Luz De Jesus Gallery, 2025 Los Angeles
The Outsiders: Billy Shire and the Rise of Low-Brow, Group Exhibition, Torrance Art Museum, 2025 Torrance California
Lost and Found, Group Exhibition, Luz De Jesus Gallery, 2024 Los Angeles
The Seven Trumpets, Featured Exhibition, Luz De Jesus Gallery, 2022 Los Angeles
Death, Renewal and the Second Enlightenment, Featured Exhibition, Luz De Jesus Gallery, 2020 Los Angeles
Beer is Art, Coaster Show, La Luz De Jesus Gallery, 2017 Los Angeles
Hope, Fear and the Journey to Earth, Featured Exhibition, La Luz De Jesus Gallery, 2017 Los Angeles
Beer is Art, Coaster Show, La Luz De Jesus Gallery, 2016 Los Angeles
Beer is Art, Coaster Show, La Luz De Jesus Gallery, 2015 Los Angeles
Archetypal Memory, Featured Exhibition, La Luz De Jesus Gallery, 2015 Los Angeles
Laluzapalooza 28th, La Luz De Jesus Gallery, 2014 Los Angeles
Beer is Art, Coaster Show, La Luz De Jesus Gallery, 2013, Los Angeles
Reclamare Gallery& Custom Tattoo, Group Exhibition, 2013 Sacramento
Laluzapalooza 27th, La Luz De Jesus Gallery, 2013, Los Angeles
Unleash your Inner Picasso, Kennedy Gallery Art Center, 2012, Sacramento
Jury Winners, Arc of Time, La Luz De Jesus Gallery, 2012, Los Angeles
West Coast Art Assemblage, 2012 Ukiah, California
Laluzapalooza 26th, La Luz De Jesus Gallery, 2012, Los Angeles
California Works, California State Fair, 2011
University Art, Five sculptures Exhibition, 2011, Sacramento
12 Artists of Christmas, Sacramento Art Complex’s, 2010
KVIE Art Auction, Public Television fund raiser, artwork donation, 2008, Sacramento
California Works, California State Fair, 2008
Small Treasures, Solomon Dubnick Gallery, 2007, Sacramento
California Works, California State Fair, 2007
Phoenix Show, Phantom Gallery, 2007, Sacramento
Box it up, Exploding Head Gallery, 2006, Sacramento
Work of Love: Artists’ Portraits, Artisan Gallery, 2006, Sacramento
Crocker-Kingsley 74tth Exhibition, Crocker Art Museum, 2005, Sacramento
Small Treasures, Solomon Dubnick Gallery, 2004, Sacramento
Gallery Macabre, Tower Framing and Design Gallery, 2004, Sacramento
California Works, California State Fair, 2004
Assemblage 100, Tribute to Joseph Cornell, four-gallery exhibition, 2003-2004, New Zealand
A Feast for the Eyes, Solomon Dubnick Gallery 2003, Sacramento
California Works, California State Fair, 2003
Whatever Does One Do With An Ugly Frame? Tower Framing Design Gallery 2003, Sacramento
The Artist Arcane, Tower Framing Design Gallery 2003, Sacramento
Solomon Dubnick Gallery, 2002, Sacramento
James Kaneko Gallery, Icons, Curiosities and spirit houses, ARC collage, 2002, Sacramento
El Camino Gallery, El Camino High school, 2001, Sacramento
California Works, California State Fair, 2001
Recycled Art, Municipal Utility District Gallery 2001, Sacramento
California Works, California State Fair, 2000
California Works, California State Fair, 1999
California Works, California State Fair, 1998
Death and Desire, Center for Contemporary Art, 1998, Sacramento
The Phoenix Exhibition, Phantom Galleries 1998, Sacramento
California National 1998, 750 Gallery, Sacramento
California Works, California State Fair, 1997
Gallery Q, Group exhibition 1997, Sacramento
The Phoenix Exhibition, Phantom Galleries 1997, Sacramento
Art in Containers-Contained Art, University Art Gallery, Central Michigan University, 1997
Naked Attic, Phantom Galleries, 1997, Sacramento
Succubus, Dark Edge Gallery 1996 Sacramento
Magnum Opus IX, Sacramento Fine Arts, Center, 1996
California Works, California State Fair 1996, Sacramento
10th Juried Open Show, League of Carmichael Artists, 1996, Carmichael
Fairfield Regional Juried Art Show, 1995, Fairfield California
California Works, California State Fair, 1995
California Works, California State Fair, 1994
Box Show, Weintraub Hunter Gallery 1994, Sacramento
California Works, California State Fair, 1993
A Tribute to the Crocker-Kingsley Artists, Solomon Dubnick Gallery 1992, Sacramento
California Works, California State Fair, 1991
Crocker-Kingsley Exhibition, Crocker Art Museum, 1991, Sacramento
California Works, California State Fair, 1990
Third National Art Space Exhibition, Art Space Gallery 1986, Sacramento
Stockton Art League 36th Exhibition, 1986, Stockton
Crocker-Kingsley Exhibition, Crocker Art Museum, 1986, Sacramento