5 Things We Learned... Chris Soal
CHRIS SOAL, ARTIST
JOHANNESBURG, ZA
Chris Soal is an award-winning, emerging artist living and practicing in Johannesburg. Using unconventional found objects, such as toothpicks and bottle caps, in conjunction with concrete and other industrial materials, Soal negotiates structural impacts on urban living and reflects on ecological concerns. He recently did a collaboration with DIOR to create the classic Lady DIOR handbag as a unique work of art. Chris has been awarded residencies by the South African Foundation of Contemporary Art, Knysna, South Africa; RAW Material Company, Dakar, Senegal); Residenza Roma by Montoro12, Italy, and by the Nirox Sculpture Park at the Cradle of Humankind in Johannesburg, South Africa.
He has exhibited in group shows at institutions such as the Nirox Sculpture Park, 2021; Iziko South African National Museum, 2020; FRAC MECA, Bordeaux, 2019; Stellenbosch University Museum, 2018, and Wits Art Museum, 2017. Most recently his solo exhibition, As below so above, was held at WHATIFTHEWORLD Gallery in 2021.
Here are 5 Things We Learned about Chris.
What made you...you?
Probably realising that I couldn't be anyone else, and then deciding finally that I didn't want to be anyone but myself.
When are you happiest?
When I get out of my own way, or sometimes when I am surprised or taken out of my own way. I mean this in the sense of being in a workflow state to the point of forgetting myself or my awareness of time. Similarly traveling, experiencing human connection, play, creativity, love - all of these things take me beyond myself and make me feel alive.
Would you rather have a muse or be a muse?
Be your own muse.
Who do you admire?
My parents. Beyond that, anyone who has lived sincerely and who has been able to communicate that to those around them.
What is important?
To me, it is important that I distinguish between urgent and important on a daily basis. That I continually place my focus and energy into the things that I will long-term be proud of, and not simply see short-term results from investing in relationships that matter, preparing my mind for growth and new perceptive insights, taking the best care of my body I can, (and) living a life of love, kindness, and generosity.
Find more of Chris’s incredible work here.
Images from left to right:
Portrait of Chris by Matthew Bradley
Detail of “With or without you” (2020) installed at the Nirox Foundation as part of solo exhibition Elegy, photographed by Mike Taylor, edited by Matthew Bradley. Image courtesy Whatiftheworld Gallery and the artist. Discarded beer bottle tops threaded onto woven steel rope with burnt and unburnt toothpicks held in polyurethane sealant on board and fabric; 130 x 250 x 25 cm
Detail of “Phoenix” (2021). Photographed by Matthew Bradley. Image courtesy Whatiftheworld Gallery and the artist. Medium: Burnt and Unburnt Bamboo and Birch Wood Toothpicks, held in Polyurethane Sealant on Ripstop Fabric and Board; 90 x 125 x 18 cm
Relic detail - Mike Taylor Photographer, edited by Matthew Bradley, image courtesy Whatiftheworld Gallery and the artist. Concrete relief.
Film still from As Below So Above - Studio view
DIOR Lady collaboration bag, image from dior.com