Meet Chris Wawrinofsky | Artist and Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Wawrinofsky and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, what matters most to you?
I began my artistic journey with a sense of urgency, initially drawn to the immediacy of mark-making on sheets of carnival cover paper. After years of paying dues spraying my chosen word in freight yards, I attempted to incorporate such a frenetic approach into my studio practice. I soon found that acts of “vandalism” are not analogous to paying rent in a sanctioned space, everything felt forced. Recognizing the limitations of two-dimensional surfaces, I turned to sculpture, exploring mass, gravity, and form.

Self-taught, and girded in steel-toed boots I wandered the same mystic paths as folk artist luminaries: Niki de Saint Phalle, Simon Rodia, Noah Purifoy, and Eugene Von Bruenchenhien. They effectively guided me towards discovering my authentic voice, a voice tempered by a synthesis of naïve inquisitiveness with equal helping’s of hubris. These humble beginnings are foundational and remain embedded in my work, even as I have risen to be acknowledged as a “materials expert.”

Engaging in fabrication—an endeavor physically exacting and frequently delegated by many artists—infuses me with a profound vitality. It invokes a visceral connection to the ancient alchemical traditions, of transmuting raw elements into tangible reality. This labor, mingling earth and fire, enables me to transcend the predictable sanctity of the studio and authentically engage in creation. While I still feel a sense of urgency, it is my relentless curiosity and dedication to the processes of material experimentation that determines every form I build.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work is often characterized as maximalist. At times my references and efforts are pulled directly from
the following autobiographical catalogue. I firmly believe that as an artist, writer, musician, poet etc, one
must convey what they have learned from life experience. Upon completion of my “terminal” degree (also
during) I sought opportunities that had potential to expand my education. So here it goes, a selected
resume of all the unsung occupations I’ve had in chronological order:

1997 Assistant Manager of Monkey Island Cafe at Hogle Zoo, where I perfected the art of spinning cotton candy,
Salt Lake City, UT

2001 Murder Mystery Banquet Server for Snowbird, Alta, UT

1998-2003 Completed my BFA at Utah State University, Logan, UT

2003 Ramp Agent Skywest Airlines, where I dumped lavs, wrangled venomous snakes, packages of queen bees, horse semen, an eagle and a coffin of a deceased child may they rest in peace. Salt Lake International Airpot, UT

2004-2006 Completed my MFA at Massachusetts College of Art, Boston, MA

2006-2009 Lots of adjunct teaching gigs in Boston, MA

2009 X-mas tree seller with French Canadians, Manhattan, NY

2011 Sign Painter for Colossal Media, Brooklyn, NY

2011 Carpenter for Geoff Howell Studio, chances are if you’ve seen giant pink lamp shades in a brick and mortar Victoria Secret, you’ve seen my handy-work. Manhattan, NY

2012 Studio Assistant for Matthew Barney Studio. I worked during the filming of “The River of Fundament”. Where I swept maggots around the rotting pig served to celebs and rode around the East River on a barge. Matthew is among the best bosses I have had. Long Island City, NY

2013 Carpenter for Rooftopia. I built rooftop gardens complete with putting greens for the 15% in Chicago, IL

2014 Co-owner/operator & curator at Utotem. I started an alternative art space with Matt Lane and Jordan Grimes which received warm reception but not $ from the community. Chicago, IL

2015 Welder/fabricator and audiovisual tech for The Scenic Route. I worked on the Petersen Automotive Museum’s renovation & built a stages for artist’s such as Beyonce as well as Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy performance. Los Angeles, CA

2017 Foundry Manager, machinist and fabricator at Marmol Radziner Architecture, where I produced bronze bling for the homes of the 15% in Los Angeles, CA

2018 Fabricator of custom powder coated stanchion sign holders for The Huntington Library, San Marino, CA

This list excludes an exhibition record and has been streamlined to avoid overwhelming readers.
Somewhat recently, I resumed my role as an educator, determined to stay in this field despite LA’s high
cost of living. This occupation suits me perfectly, as I wish to share my unique experiences with younger
artists. My sincere hope is to carve out a more direct pathway towards a career in art, helping them avoid
the fragmented journey I encountered. Though my career has had its share of misadventures and
cautionary tales, it taught me resourcefulness—an essential trait for any artist working in today’s gig
economy. Despite any doubts, I gained more from these varied experiences than I could have from my
combined years in college.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Depending on the season and company, we might go surfing, snowboarding, or skateboarding possibly all in a single day. I pulled this off a couple of years ago, and it’s one of those unique aspects of LA that I love. The geography here allows diverse microclimates and topographies in one region. If we’re in Big Bear, we will feast on poke bowls and slushies at Tropicali for après-ski. As for après surf, EL Cocinera is worth the return trip from the westside and a must for the best burritos, vegan or not. I frequent many museums and galleries and often take friends to various exhibits. Some older haunts include Ghebally Gallery and Night Gallery. These neighboring spaces have a strong roster of artists and consistently excellent programming. Galerie Lulla is among my favorite newly discovered spaces, conveniently located near Pizzanista. The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens are universally adored and not far from my beloved Eagle Rock. Belles Bagels and Joy Cafe are my neighborhood favorites, they are possibly the best in LA at what they do. Lucy Ethiopian will always treat you like family while serving up a heaping vegetarian combo platter that is truly unparalleled. If you’re up for the Magic Castle, LACMA, or high tea with doves at the Museum of Jurassic Technology, I’ve got you. Next to last stop is my studio in Pico Union, not far from K-Town. We might have time to to see what’s going on at Lapau Gallery and Commonwealth and Council followed with a nightcap at HMS Bounty then collapse from exhaustion.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This shoutout is dedicated to my most ardent supporters: my Rebekka, my parents Sue and Lynn, my sister Emily, her husband Joe and son Oliver. While I work at a private college, I will forever champion the state school system. I was fortunate to work with such incredible faculty at Utah State University as well as Massachusetts College of Art. Big ups to all the students I have had the pleasure to work with as I begin my eighth year at Occidental College. I have had a blast (mostly) as the Art Studio’s Manager there. Cannot forget my studio “Widgets Etc” a small group of like minded people have moved through those hallowed spaces. Boston is the city that taught me that you must secretly loathe the places you live. LA is the city that helped me learn to love again. I’ve made many great friendships in NY, Chicago, Boston, LA and Utah and indeed I will love you all forever.

Website: https://www.cwawrinofsky.xyz

Instagram: wawawaw1980

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christopher.wawrinofsky

Image Credits
All images taken by the artist with one notable exception: The action shot from the “Sugarman” performance at Gallery Pado was taken by Rebekka Takamizu.