Chris Barley usually exhibits abstract, modern paintings, with a style that could be called “Abstract Expressionism". Strong influences for him have been Jackson Pollock with his "action painting" technique and others part of this movement such as Hans Hofman, Lee Krasner, or Joan Mitchell. His technique shares many similarities, being expressive and radical, going beyond superficial appearances and expressing his deepest emotions, revealing a certain psychic intensity. He is fascinated with the relationships between energy, the body, and the mind and is dedicated to expressing emotions and energies through colours, textures, and movement. Due to their abstract nature, he likes his paintings to speak for themselves and prefers to preserve the mystery behind them and not share his own state of mind when painting them. Chris Barley considers himself a bit of a "nomad" as he has spent much of his life traveling the world.
Artist Quote: “The paintings speak very differently to everyone depending on their relationship with colours or textures and what emotions or memories they bring up in them. I prefer not to give a lot of information on it in order to not influence viewers’ own interpretations.”
Works exhibited at:
- Dubai International Art Center, Gallery 76, Dubai (U.A.E) for Art Exhibition "Celebrating Artistic Expression" (May 6th to May 18th, 2023).
- Bedia Gallery, Dubai (U.A.E) for Art Exhibition "Spring Life" (From 26th to 30th April 2023).
- Art4You Gallery, Dubai (U.A.E) Online Art Exhibition "Holy Month of Ramadan" (April 2, 2023)
- Reem Art Gallery, Dubai (U.A.E) for Art Exhibition "Ramadan Al Khair" (March 19th to March 31st 2023).
- Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai (U.A.E) for "Art meets Fashion" exhibition in collaboration with International Designer League (17 March 2023).
- Dubai World Trade Center (U.A.E) for the art fair “World Art Dubai” (March 09th to March 12th, 2023).
- Bengal Art Gallery, ICCR, Kolkata (India) for the exhibition "Violet, Celebrating Colours" (18 and 19 February 2023).
- Dubai International Art Center, Dubai (U.A.E) for the International Mother Language Day (February 10th to February 17th, 2023).
- Reem Art Gallery, Dubai (U.A.E) for Group Exhibition (9 and 10 February 2023).
- Global Painting Conclave, Nova Scotia (Canada) - Finalists Award in the competition Abstract Painting (January 2023).
- Majestic Hotel - Suan Art Land Gallery Dubai (U.A.E) for One Day Art Show (13 January 2023). The Factory, The Holy Art London (United Kingdom) for the exhibition "Deconstruction" (January 06th to February 05th, 2023).
- Gaudi Room, Casa Mila "La Pedreda" Barcelona (Spain) for the exhibition "Brain Cake" by M.A.D.S Art Gallery (December 28, 2022),
- International Studio of Art and Galleries, Dubai (U.A.E) for the exhibition "Sky White - What does freedom mean to you?" (December 16th to December 23rd, 2022).
- International Studio of Art and Galleries, Dubai (U.A.E) for the exhibition "UAE National Day" (December 9th to December 15th, 2022).
- Guinness World Records, Abu Dhabi (U.A.E) on 3 December 2022 for the most nationalities in art lesson (65).
- Alliance Francaise Dubai (U.A.E) for the exhibition "Perceptions of Dubai" (November 16th to December 19th, 2022).
- Global Painting Conclave, Nova Scotia (Canada) - Finalists Award in the competition Nature Painting (October 2022)
- Gallery Vibes at Mall of the Emirates, Dubai (U.A.E) (August 22nd to September 21st, 2022). M.A.D.S Art Gallery Milan (Italy) and Fuerteventura (Canary Islands, Spain) for the exhibition “Orizzonti-Trasversali Madsverse” (July 28th to August 03rd, 2022).
- The Gallery Space, Hub Space in Al Quoz Dubai (U.A.E) for the exhibition “Abstract” (July 23rd to July 30th2022).
- First Place Award for the set of paintings "The Nine Muses" at Picasso Gallery, Al Quoz Dubai (U.A.E) for the exhibition “Now/Never, Expressions of Colors” (June 10th to June 18th, 2022). Picasso Gallery, Al Quoz Dubai (U.A.E) for the exhibition “Now/Never, Expressions of Colors” (June 10th to June 18th, 2022).
- Dubai World Trade Center (U.A.E) for the art fair “World Art Dubai” (March 16th to March 19th, 2022).
- The Mall Jumeirah Dubai (U.A.E) for the exhibition “Seeing Red – Visual Richness in Contemporary Art” (February 10th to March 2nd, 2022).
- Picasso Gallery, Al Quoz Dubai (U.A.E) for the exhibition “Abstraction 3 – Towards a Universal Language” (February 18th to February 25th, 2022).
- The Gallery Space, Hub Space in Al Quoz Dubai (U.A.E) for the exhibition “Duende – The Mysterious Power of Art” (January 30th to February 10th2022).
- A.D.S Art Gallery Milan (Italy) and Fuerteventura (Canary Islands, Spain) for the exhibition “Sacrifice” (December 16th to December 23rd, 2021).
- Festival Reflection 3rd Edition Sharjah (U.A.E) for the exhibition “Hope” (December 15th to December 18th, 2021).
- Expo Metro 2021 New York (USA) (December 12th to December 18th, 2021).
- Picasso Gallery, Al Quoz, Dubai (U.A.E) for the exhibition “Unity in Diversity” (December 1st to December 8th, 2021). Gallery Vibes at Mall of the Emirates, Dubai (U.A.E) (October 1st to October 16th, 2021)
