biography
artist statement
exhibitions and awards
representation
news
testimonials
professional affiliations
§ Biography
Chris Dei is an award winning photographer whose wildlife images depict the beauty of a world most of us can only dream about. Originally trained as a classical pianist in the U.S. and Europe, she brings a lifetime of experience and creativity to her work.
§ Artist Statement
There is a generally perceived notion that an image is created during a thoughtful exchange of energy between the photographer and the subject. But for me, thought is not the main operating instrument of consciousness at that instant. Thought slows down, boundaries melt and there enters a profound stillness where everything disappears. I have never found words adequate to convey the timelessness of that moment. Only Silence. And the experience can only be partially relayed by the image that results. I’m simply a vehicle. The essence comes from somewhere else that really…..I have very little to do with.
§ Exhibitions and Awards
Coming Up:
Westwood Gallery, Westwood, N.J. “SPIRITS OF THE SERENGETI” - exhibit - wildlife prints on canvas – Opening October 26 through November 29, 2008.
Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT. Summer of 2009. Check back for details..
Past:
Lot 84, Mt. Kisco, NY. "Africa by Dei" - exhibit of large wildlife works on canvas - through June 30, 2008.
17th Annual Artists of the African Rainforest - Auction by Sotheby's. April 2008.
Exhibit in Malindi, Kenya. December 2007 - June 2008
"Lo Scintillio della Savana" - Malindi, Kenya. December 2007 through June 2008
"Escapes" - An Exhibition of Fine Art Photography - The Maserati/Ferrari Showroom at Wide World of Cars. June 21 - July 21, 2007
"Artists for Africa" - The African Rainforest Conservancy Gala Benefit; auction by Sothebys. May 2007
"Tripping the Light Fantastic" - A Fine Art Photography Exhibition - The Agora Gallery, 530 W. 25th St. Chelsea, New York - March 2007
Semi-finalist - Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition, 2006
"A Night for Artists, A Night for Africa" – Artists for the African Rainforest - New York, May 2005
"The Heart of Wildlife Defense" – The Bill Jordan Wildlife Defense Fund USA - Madison, WI, April 2005
The HypeGallery / Les Rencontres d’Artes - Arles, France, July 2005
The Robert Miller Gallery – New York, NY, Sept 2005
1st Place, Portrait Division - National Photo Award for Excellence in Photography, August 2005
National Photo Awards – 2005
- Photographer of the Year Award – Professional Division
- 2005 Overall Winner – Open Category
- 2005 Award of Excellence – Travel/Scenic
Featured Artist – The Art Fix, August 2005
Winner – Best of New York Artists and Artisans 2005
§ Representation
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Artists For Conservation - formerly the Worldwide Nature Artists Group - by invitation only, an exclusive, international non-profit organization, representing the world's leading collective of nature
artists. It's mission is to support wildlife and habitat conservation and environmental education through art that celebrates the natural world.
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Nairobi, Kenya
(for private viewing, please contact Lisa Christoffersen: lisa@africaonline.co.ke)
§ News
"Illuminations" A book of original artworks, photographs, poems and interviews by 180 artists and writers from 43 countries. Published by Ten Speed Press. 2006
Woman Honored for Wildlife Photos, by Jennifer Weil. The Journal News, May 2005.
Local Fine Art Photographer Chris Dei. The Hook Magazine : Local Culture, Art and Community in the Lower Hudson Valley, special feature article and cover story, July/Aug. 2005
§ Testimonials
"Your picture is ravishing. Thank you!" Ali MacGraw
"Thank you so much for all you support and help. We so appreciated your being here with your beautiful work." Sheena Bliss, Dir. , Bill Jordan Wildlife Defense Fund USA
"It was a delight to have you there, and your work was highly successful…thank you so much again…" Jeff Hobbs, African Rainforest Conservancy
§ Professional Affiliations
- Artists For Conservation (formerly Worldwide Nature Artists Group)
- National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP)
- Age fotostock
- North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA)