Christopher Reynolds was born in Laguna Beach, CA. He currently lives and works in the Santa Cruz Mountains, CA.
Artist Statement
Christopher Reynolds current body of work explores food as a social catalyst through community projects, sculptures, installations, photography, video, and performance. This work examines how food shapes our relationships—both with one another and with broader societal structures. He delves into themes of cultural hegemony, the emergence and evolution of gourmet culture, and the dynamics of conspicuous consumption, revealing their impact on contemporary consumption habits.
Food, as something we collect, prepare, and present, is inherently political. It mirrors economic class, geographic conditions, political influence, and religious traditions, all of which affect how and what we consume. Reynolds’ work illuminates these intersections, emphasizing how food choices both define and reflect our cultural identities and social interactions.
By using social practices, interactive performances, and immersive installations that provoke visceral responses—hunger, satisfaction, pleasure, even discomfort—Reynolds invite viewers to see food as more than sustenance. His work encourages a deeper understanding of the power food wields in shaping our cultural, political, and economic landscapes, challenging audiences to rethink the roles food plays in our lives.
Education
2012
Master of Fine Arts, School of Art, California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA.
2005
Bachelor of Arts, School of Fine Arts, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
Selected Solo / duo Exhibitions
2026 - Pronkstillevens and Other Spectacular Provender, Minnow Arts, Santa Cruz, CA
2019 - Appetite Monument, Current LA: FOOD Public Art Triennial, Department of Cultural Affairs, Los Angeles, CA. https://www.currentla.org/public-programs/christopher-reynolds
2017 - The Claw & Cracker Club by Christopher Reynolds, Stage and Table, Santa Monica, CA
2016 - Picnic by Christopher Reynolds, The Museum of Man, San Diego, CA
2016 - Fleiss Feast, Los Angeles Eats Itself, curated by Marco Rios and Jason Keller, Los Angeles, CA.
2015 - Fashionable Salad-Maker Kit (for Chevalier d’Albignac), live performance and exhibition 12/12/15, Thank You For Coming, Los Angeles, CA.
2014 - Crachevin, live performance 10/12/14, 3629 Medford, Los Angeles, CA.
2014 - The Schauss Kitchen (Cooking), live performance 03/31/14, Grand Central Market, Los Angeles, CA.
2013 - The Schauss Kitchen (Cooking), live performance 11/14/13, San Jose Museum of Art,San Jose, CA.
2013 - Coursework, collaboration with Marco Rios, Thank You for Coming (TYFC), Los Angeles, CA.
2013 - The Schauss Kitchen (Cooking), live performance 06/14/13, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, San Jose, CA.
2013 -Attempting to Capture Taste (Spication, Rotation, Verrition), live performance 05/24/13, MexicaliBiennial 2013, Mexicali Rose Centro de Arte/Medios, Mexicali, Mexico.
2013 -Picnic by Christopher Reynolds, Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, CA.
2013 - The Schauss Kitchen (Cooking), live performance 02/09/13, Marine Contemporary Gallery, Venice, CA.
2012 - Attempting to Capture Taste (Spication, Rotation, Verrition), live performance 11/10/12, Jaus Gallery, Los Angeles, CA.
2012 - Gluttons & Gastronomes, Station Gallery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
2012 - Gastronomic Encounters with Others (and Self) , D301 Gallery, California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA.
2011- Various Concerns of Gastronomy, Performance event 12/14/11, Concord Gallery, Los Angeles, CA.
2011 - A Recipe for Conversation, Trespass Parade Public Project 10/02/11, Los Angeles, CA.
2010 - In Collaboration, Lime Gallery, California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA.
2010 - Fortune Cookie Project, Phantom Galleries LA, Long Beach, CA.
2009 - San Jose Yacht Club, Space 47, San Jose, CA.
2009 - THANKS CRAIG, The Landing Party Gallery, Los Angeles, CA.
2009 - Market, Phantom Galleries LA, Long Beach, CA.
Selected Group Exhibitions
2026 - The Gift of Art, Hal Bromm Gallery, New York, NY
2017 - Town Hall, ltd Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
2017 - Don’t Try This at Home: The CI Art Faculty Exhibition, Art Program, California State University Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA
2017 - Irvine Valley College Student and Faculty Exhibition, Great Park Art Gallery Irvine, CA
2016 - Human Condition, Curated by John Wolf, The Hospital, Los Angeles, CA
2016 -Without Design or Sketch: The Story of the Room, Launch LA Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2014 - Facts and Figures, Visual and Media Arts Faculty Exhibition, Long Beach City College, Long Beach, CA
2014 -White Balancing, 3629 Medford, Los Angeles, CA.
2014 - AfterTaste, Grand Central Market, Los Angeles, CA.
2013 - Around the Table: Food Creativity, Community, San Jose Museum of Art/San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, San Jose, CA.
2013 - MAS Attack, Torrance Art Museum, Torrance, CA.
2013 - Bibliophilia, Palo Alto Art Center, Palo Alto, CA.
2013 - NextNewCA, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art, San Jose, CA.
2013 - Mexicali Biennial 2013, Mexicali Rose Centro de Arte/Medios, Mexicali, Mexico.
2013 -Marine Salon No. 10 Works 301 - 331, Marine Contemporary Gallery, Venice, CA.
2013 -Mexicali Biennial 2013, Vincent Price Art Museum, Monterey Park, CA.
2012 - Bon Appétit: An Hors d’Oeuvre for the Cannibal Feast, Jaus Gallery, Los Angeles, CA.
2012 - Greater Los Angeles Master of Fine Arts Exhibition (GLAMFA), California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA.
2012 - Boom: Southern California MFA group Exhibition, Den Contemporary / Pacific Design Center, Los Angeles, CA.
2012 - Made in L.A.: This is a Takeover! A 10 Year Survey of Slanguage, (Slanguage Project) LAXART, LosAngeles, CA.
2012 - MMXII Calarts MFA Graduate Exhibition, LA Mart/Art Platform-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.
2012 - Graduate Show Fundraiser Exhibition, Susan Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects, Los Angeles, CA.
2011 - Mid-Residency Exhibition, California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA.
2011 - Co/lab Exhibition, curated by Christopher Reynolds and Tony Lopez, (Slanguage Project) ArtPlatform - Los Angeles, L.A. Mart, Los Angeles, CA.
2011 - Circulate, Exchange: Nugget & Gravy, University of California, Los Angeles, Wright Gallery, LosAngeles, CA.
2011 - Greater Los Angeles Master of Fine Arts Exhibition (GLAMFA), California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA.
2011 - Open Ending, The Farley Building, Los Angeles, CA.
2011 - Possible Worlds: Mario Ybarra, Jr., Karla Diaz, and Slanguage Studio Select From the Permanent Collection, (Slanguage Project) Los Angeles County Museum of art (LACMA), Los Angeles, CA.
2010 - Associate Artist Exhibition, Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, FL. 2010 - Group Exhibition, Spring Art Tower Mezzanine Gallery, Los Angeles, CA.
2009 - Slanguage Presents MOCA’s Engagement Party, (Slanguage Project) Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Los Angeles, CA.
Selected Curatorial Projects
2026 - Bonny Doon Art, Wine, and Brew Festival 2026, Exhibition Curator, Santa Cruz Mountains, CA
2015 - Second Sight: New Representations in Photography (Solo Curator), Torrance Art Museum, Torrance, CA
2014 - Another Thing Coming: New Sculpture in LA (Co-Curator), Torrance Art Museum, Torrance, CA
2014 - Watchmen: Surveillance and the Flanuer (Co-Curator), Torrance Art Museum, Torrance, CA
Selected Artists Lectures / Presentations
2026 - PRONK PICNIC, Visiting Artist Talk, Minnow Arts, Santa Cruz, CA. February 28th, 2026
2016 - Visiting Artist Lecture, University of Southern California Roski School of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA. September 23rd, 2016
2016 - Artist Panel on Commerce, Art and Residencies, Long Beach City College, April 20th
2014 Art and Social Media Panel, City of Santa Clarita, November 12th, 2014
2013 - Artist/Curator Walkthrough, Vincent Price Art Museum, Monterey Park, CA., February 9th, 2013.
2012 - Visiting Artist Lecture, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA., Sept. 5th, 2012.
2012 - Artist lecture series, LAXART, Los Angeles, CA., July 25th, 2012.
2012 - Associate Artist Lecture, Can Serrat Artist Residency, El Bruc, Spain, January, 2012.
2010 - Resident Artist Lecture, Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, FL., May 17th, 2010.
Awards and Grants
2018 - Selected Artist, Current LA: FOOD Triennial, Department of Cultural Affairs, Los Angeles, CA
2015 - On Our Radar, Emerging Fields, Literature and Performing Arts, Creative Capital, New York, NY
2013 - Quick Grant Program, Creative Capacity Fund (CCF), Los Angeles, CA.
2012 - Dean’s Reserve Grant, California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA.
2012 - Artist-in-Residence Scholarship, Can Serrat Residency, El Bruc, Spain.
2011 - Academy Internship Grant, Academy of Motion Pictures Arts, and Sciences, Los Angeles, CA.
2010 - Associate Artist, Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, FL.
2012 - Joan Mitchell Foundation Award, Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, FL.
2010 - LACMA Education Grant, Watts House Project (Slanguage Project), Los Angeles, CA., 2009-2010.
2009 - MOCA Residency, Slanguage Artist-in-Residence funded by The Irvine Foundation,
2009 - Mentoring Artist Program (M.A.P.), Artist-in-Residence, Space 47, San Jose, CA.
2008 - Artwork featured on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered.”
2005 - The Festival of the Arts Foundation Scholarship, Laguna Beach, CA., 2001-2005.
2004 - Friends of Fine Arts Scholarship, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA., 2004/2005.
2004 - Dean’s List, School of Fine Arts and the School of Arts, Letters, and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA., 2002/2004.
2003 - Carlson Leadership Academy Initiation, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
2001 - Ellie and John Stern Scholarship and Art Supply, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.