Chris McLeans' artworks are visual approximations of the Neurodivergent presence. Combining sensory with conceptual elements, I create paintings, prints, and installations inviting viewers to witness and interact with my personal aspects of living on the Autism Spectrum. Acknowledging the impossibility of conveying specific personal experiences and challenges in articulating them, these pieces foster dialogue and connections to the present realities of living as a neurodivergent person while creating a visual context for this phenomenon. I aim to enhance acknowledgment and understanding of the different variables influencing human knowledge and contributions. Inspiring agency in personal lives and changes in broader cultural narratives.
Chris McLean
Awards, Honors, Residencies and Teachings
2022
Provincetown Art Association and Museum.
Lillian Orlowsky / William Freed Grant. June 2023 Exhibition.
Provincetown, MA.
Springfield Art Museum.
Kenneth M. Shuck Memorial Award -
Best in Show
Watercolor USA - National Juried Exhibition.
Springfield, MO.
Watercolor Artist Magazine
Eyes on the Prize - Best of 2022 ( In Watercolor ).
Watercolor USA Honor Society Member
2021
Chiaro Award Finalist.
Headlands Center for the Arts.
Marin, California.
2020
New Mexico Arts - Art in Public Selection
2016
Vermont Studio Center Residency. January - February 2016.
2014
New Mexico Arts State Purchase Finalist
2013
New Mexico Art Commission / Creative Santa FE Grant.
2012
Guest Artist. Nor Cal Vocational Octavia Art Gallery. San Francisco.
2011
Guest Artist. Graphics = Power. SFAI City Outreach Program – Mission Grafica. San Francisco.
Levi’s Community Printing Workshop. 16th and Mission. San Francisco.
2010
2010 Honors recipient in Teaching Practicum - San Francisco Art Institute.
Robert Howe Fletcher Cup
San Francisco Art Institute
Anne Bremer Memorial Library 27th Annual Bookmaking Contest.
1st Place.
San Francisco Art Institute
Exhibitions
2023
Lilian Orlowsky / William Freed Grant Show. Provincetown Art Association and Museum
2022
Watercolor USA - National Juried Exhibition. Springfield Art Museum.
2016
“ How to Have Fun – The Minimum Wage Edition.” Small Engine Gallery. Albuquerque NM.
2015
“Carte Blanche” Central Features. Albuquerque NM.
2014
“Barking Sycamores” Online Arts Publication.
“ Fanta Se - DeVargas Park”. New Mexico Art Commission Grant. Santa Fe, New Mexico.
“ AMoA Biennial 600: Printmaking.” Amarillo Museum of Art. Amarillo, Texas.
“ Bike to Work Week” Santa Fe City Arts Coalition. Santa Fe, New Mexico.
“Lucky 13” Center for Contemporary Art. Santa Fe, New Mexico.
2012
Tony Eason’s New Belgium Fat Tire AIDS Ride Fund Raiser Benefit. San Francisco
“Mission on Minna” 111 Minna Gallery San Francisco.
Guest Artist – Octavia Art Gallery – Chalk Drawing Installation. San Francisco
“Kitten Chalk Fever” Café Sofie. San Francisco.
2010
“Haiti Relief – Silent Auction.” San Francisco Art Institute.
“Performanization and Actualization.” Swell Gallery. San Francisco Art Institute.
“ Rebel Design..” Diego Rivers Gallery. San Francisco Art Institute.
"Pedals and Prints.” Crewest Gallery. Los Angeles.
“ Vernissage – MFA Exhibition”. Fort Mason – Herbst Pavilion.
2007
“Camera 1. Camera 2.” Luggage Store Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
Publications and News
2022
SpringField Art Museum : Santa Fe Artist Chris McLean takes top award in Watercolor USA 2022
https://www.sgfmuseum.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=150
2015
Barking Sycamores. Online Art Exhibit
2013
Pasatiempo – Opening for Devargas Skate Park. Santa Fe New Mexico.
2011
“ In Transit “ Allison Blomerth. MA Thesis Project. San Francisco Art Institute.
2010
“ Tales of the Modern Day Flaneur.” Ellen Kieth. Callifornia College of the Arts.
“ Behaving Badly.” Instant City Press. San Francisco.
Education
2010
MFA. Printmaking. San Francisco Art Institute.
2008
Post - Baccalaureate Certificate. San Francisco Art Institute.
1994
BFA Painting. Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.
Contact: chrismcle@gmail.com