In the 70s, Brooklyn-born artist Chris Ellis - better known as "Daze" - considered subway carts his canvas. Today, his approach is a little more conventional.
07 May, 2019
Brooklynite and artist, Chris "Daze Ellis", has navigated an interesting career trajectory. From tagging subway trains in the 70s to his first solo show held in Fashion Moda, an alternative art space in the South Bronx, Daze recalls the early days of his career with fondness and clarity.
"Some of my peers, such as Futura2000, Crash and Lee Quinones had already presented their first shows. I was anxious to have one as well because I thought of it as a next-level accomplishment. I still think of it as such. Not only did many artists come but also a lot of people from the neighbourhood. It was the start of an ongoing dialogue."
That dialogue has been interspersed with a host of international voices, occupying a multitude of spaces, conventional and otherwise. With a splintered focus, Daze has delved into everything from TV work, consulting on Baz Luhrmann's Netflix series The Get Down, to developing mentorship projects in Rio de Janeiro and Baton Rouge. "Teaching workshops in these underdeveloped areas opens a door and helps students understand their creative potential."
With inspirations ranging from Marvel comic books to Martin Wong, Daze's interests are encyclopaedic and his practice broad, but his travel plans are surprisingly regimented.
I'm from Brooklyn originally - Crown Heights to be exact. I continue to think of Brooklyn as a borough that is made of many very distinct neighbourhoods. Each one has their own very particular characteristics, rules, etc.
It was pretty simple; I chose the letters I could draw best. That's it.
Who knows. Maybe Bushwick?
Detroit, Los Angeles and Miami.
The switch was more of a slow transition. I never just stopped painting trains abruptly. I eventually stopped because I was just getting older and felt I had done everything I could in that context. I also felt I could reach a much broader audience with my paintings.
It was great to work with Baz and the entire crew. Everyone who worked on The Get Down was really committed to the end result. Usually I'm working on projects solo but being a part of a team was different. I liked watching how all these elements came together in the end.
PPOW Gallery, David Zwirner, Jack Shainman, Michael Rosenfeld and Skarstedt Gallery.
There are so many.... Reginald Marsh, Robert Henri, John Sloan, Robert Crumb, Mort Drucker, Diane Arbus, Miles Davis, Hendrix, Marvel Comics, Manuel Ocampo, Martin Wong, Helen Levitt, Picasso…
I'm working on an exhibition with Woodbury House in London. It will be my first solo exhibition in London and I'm really excited about it. The last time I was in the city was in the 90s, so I'm looking forward to seeing how much it has changed. In addition to the show, I'm hoping to paint a couple of murals and do a book signing at the Rag & Bone store in Soho.
I always seem to return to painting some aspect of New York. Painting portraits of women is something I'm still drawn to.
Coney Island is no doubt my favorite. I've painted and photographed it for many years. It's a world within itself. There is no place like it anywhere.
Although I really hate it, I would have to say the subway. It's unreliable, dirty, sometimes dangerous, and you're lucky to get to your destination in a timely manner but it's still the best way to navigate the city.
New York is my Gotham City.
Coney Island and the Metropolitan Museum. If I ever moved from New York I would really miss these places.
São Paulo, Detroit, Miami, Rio de Janeiro and Paris.
The last place I visited where I thought I could stay and create a whole new body of work was Havana. Even though there is a lot of poverty still and it's difficult, there is culture everywhere.
My travel has to be really planned out. There is nothing spontaneous about that. I love exploring new places, I just don't always enjoy how long it can take to get there. When I travel, I make the most of all my time and appreciate my surroundings, but I always love going home to my family.
No Regrets, the Life of Edith Piaf by Carolyn Burke.
A toothbrush and clean underwear will get you far.
The above as well as jeans, painting kicks, reading material, clean shirts, music and deodorant.
Chris Daze Ellis' exhibition with Woodbury House, The Journey, will be on exhibit at 15 Bateman Street, Soho from 10-11 May 2019.
