Artist Statement
Photography by David Moog / Courtesy Burchfield Penney
I am a visual artist based out of Buffalo, New York. The working class, blue-collar attitude of Buffalo has had a heavy influence on my work. It is an attitude that drives me to follow my artistic goals and dreams. It is an attitude that that motivates me to find my own niche in a rich and vibrant artistic community. Buffalo has also provided me with an “underdog” will and sense of perseverance. Although my work pulls from a number of sub-cultures in terms of imagery and technique, I strive to get my message out to a broader audience.
The majority of my work deals with the influences that surrounded me growing up. I am a product of the 1970’s and 80’s. Growing up I ingested a steady diet of visual imagery gleaned from Saturday television. The likes Evel Knievel and Steve McQueen awed me with their perceived lack of concern regarding their personal safety and their silver screen idol cool. Saturday afternoons lead me to develop a fascination with the world of horror movies. When I was growing up my family moved to a small town outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We had an old cemetery on a hill behind our house. That cemetery always felt rather familiar, like I had seen it before. It turned out it was where they filmed the 1968 classic “Night of the Living Dead”. Even though that film had been made before I was born, I must have seen it ten times by the time my family moved to Evans City. The idea of something old and forgotten coming back to change the world definitely had an effect on me. The idea that the familiar could turn terrifying or that the known could become unrecognizable made me change the way I looked at the world. I’ve always had this connection to the macabre and the horrifying. I think that’s why I became a public school teacher…
As my work has evolved I’ve also incorporated my interest in divergent media. My attention to detail is overwhelmed by the dizzying array of possibilities available to artists today. I am fascinated by the limitless editing possibilities available in my computer, but I can’t bring myself to eliminate the hand made component to my art. I have to hand render an image, otherwise I feel like I have cheated myself. I’ve reconciled these feelings by combining both the traditional and the modern approaches. Presently this combination involves digital design, hand rendering, painting and a variety street art techniques. It is an ever-evolving process. I always try to find something new to challenge myself with, something that can capture my interest and imagination while maintaining a balance with my processes.
In addition to my painting, I also work on a limited commercial basis as a freelance designer creating logos, web sites and any other business oriented need. I like the challenge of translating someone else’s concept into a realized vision and concrete image. I can be reached through email at cgalley@devilchickendesign.com.
The majority of my work deals with the influences that surrounded me growing up. I am a product of the 1970’s and 80’s. Growing up I ingested a steady diet of visual imagery gleaned from Saturday television. The likes Evel Knievel and Steve McQueen awed me with their perceived lack of concern regarding their personal safety and their silver screen idol cool. Saturday afternoons lead me to develop a fascination with the world of horror movies. When I was growing up my family moved to a small town outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We had an old cemetery on a hill behind our house. That cemetery always felt rather familiar, like I had seen it before. It turned out it was where they filmed the 1968 classic “Night of the Living Dead”. Even though that film had been made before I was born, I must have seen it ten times by the time my family moved to Evans City. The idea of something old and forgotten coming back to change the world definitely had an effect on me. The idea that the familiar could turn terrifying or that the known could become unrecognizable made me change the way I looked at the world. I’ve always had this connection to the macabre and the horrifying. I think that’s why I became a public school teacher…
As my work has evolved I’ve also incorporated my interest in divergent media. My attention to detail is overwhelmed by the dizzying array of possibilities available to artists today. I am fascinated by the limitless editing possibilities available in my computer, but I can’t bring myself to eliminate the hand made component to my art. I have to hand render an image, otherwise I feel like I have cheated myself. I’ve reconciled these feelings by combining both the traditional and the modern approaches. Presently this combination involves digital design, hand rendering, painting and a variety street art techniques. It is an ever-evolving process. I always try to find something new to challenge myself with, something that can capture my interest and imagination while maintaining a balance with my processes.
In addition to my painting, I also work on a limited commercial basis as a freelance designer creating logos, web sites and any other business oriented need. I like the challenge of translating someone else’s concept into a realized vision and concrete image. I can be reached through email at cgalley@devilchickendesign.com.
Resume
Christopher C. Galley
Buffalo, New York
cgalley@devilchickendesign.com
Education:
State University of New York College at Buffalo
Master of Science in Art Education
(Magna Cum Laude) May 2002
State University of New York College at Buffalo
Bachelor of Science in Art Education
(Magna Cum Laude) May 1996
Finger Lakes Community College
Associates Degree in Sciences and Humanities
(Cum Laude) May 1994
Solo Exhibitions:
2017 "Chop Shop", Progressive Insurance Chop Shop, Sturgis, SD
2015 "Recordamos a Los Muertos, Porque los Vivos son tan Olvidable", iPrintfromHome.com Gallery, Buffalo, NY
2013 “Sticks and Stones”, 464 Gallery, Buffalo, NY
"Voodoo and Burnt Rubber", Broken Sprocket Garage, East Aurora, NY
Selected Juried Exhibitions:
2017 “Queen City Market”, Karpeles Manuscript Museum, Buffalo, NY
“14th Annual Grease Monkey Block Party”, Indian Larry Legacy, Brooklyn, NY
“Jack of All Trades Fine Craft and Trade Fair”, Buffalo, NY
"Fuel Cleveland 2017", Cleveland, OH
"Artblot", Chicago, IL
"Cycle Showcase, STL", St. Louis, MO
“The One Moto Show”, Portland, OR
2016 “Queen City Market”, Karpeles Manuscript Museum, Buffalo, NY
"Mayday, Underground", Rochester, NY
“Altars”, El Museo Francisco Oller y Diego Rivera, Buffalo, NY
“13th Annual Grease Monkey Block Party”, Indian Larry Legacy, Brooklyn, NY
“Jack of All Trades Fine Craft and Trade Fair”, Buffalo, NY
"Oily Souls", Detroit, MI
"Art and Wheels II", Galerie Projektraum, Basel, Switzerland
2015 “Queen City Market”, Karpeles Manuscript Museum, Buffalo, NY
“12th Annual Grease Monkey Block Party”, Indian Larry Legacy, Brooklyn, NY
“Jack of All Trades Fine Craft and Trade Fair”, River Works, Buffalo, NY
"Fuel Cleveland", Cliffs Warehouse, Cleveland, OH
“The Lowside 4”, Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, MD
2014 “Queen City Market”, Karpeles Manuscript Museum, Buffalo, NY
“Altars”, El Museo Francisco Oller y Diego Rivera, Buffalo, NY
“11th Annual Grease Monkey Block Party”, Indian Larry Legacy, Brooklyn, NY
"UNINVITED", Nihil Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
“Jack of All Trades Fine Craft and Trade Fair”, Larkinville, Buffalo, NY
“City of Night III” Silo City, Buffalo, NY
“The Lowside 3”, Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, MD
2013 “Altars”, feature artist, El Museo Francisco Oller y Diego Rivera, Buffalo, NY
“10th Annual Grease Monkey Block Party”, Indian Larry Legacy, Brooklyn, NY
“City of Night II” Silo City, Buffalo, NY
“4:Resurrection. 464 Gallery’s 4th Anniversary Exhibit”, 464 Gallery, Buffalo, NY
“The Lowside 2”, Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, MD
“Art Crawl”, Springville Center for the Arts, Springville, NY
2012 “‘Tis the Season II”, Studio Hart, Buffalo, NY
“464 Presents: Presents”, 464 Gallery, Buffalo, NY
“Hellbent Art Show”, Prophecy Ink Gallery, Louisville, KY
“Monster 2.0”, 464 Gallery, Buffalo, NY
“Witches Ball”, Hotel Lafayette, Buffalo, NY
“10th Annual Music is Art Festival”, Delaware Park, Buffalo, NY
“The One Motorcycle Show” Sandbox Studios, Portland, OR
Selected Group Exhibitions:
2017 “Barber Vintage Festival”, Barber Motorsports Museum, Birmingham, AL
“Voodoo and Burnt Rubber V”, Buffalo, NY
"Motoblot", Chicago, IL
"Old S'Cool Review: Cavalcade of Cars", Event Center, Hamburg, NY
“Cheap Thrills”, Asbury Park Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
2016 “Barber Vintage Festival”, Barber Motorsports Museum, Birmingham, AL
“Voodoo and Burnt Rubber IV”, Buffalo, NY
“Cheap Thrills”, Asbury Park Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
2015 “Barber Vintage Festival”, Barber Motorsports Museum, Birmingham, AL
“Voodoo and Burnt Rubber III”, Broken Sprocket Garage, East Aurora, NY
2014 “Barber Vintage Festival”, Barber Motorsports Museum, Birmingham, AL
“Rubber Side Down Rally”, Lakeshore Overseas VFW Post 1419, Hamburg, NY
“Mods vs. Rockers”, Cleveland, OH
“Voodoo and Burnt Rubber II”, Broken Sprocket Garage, East Aurora, NY
“Spring Open House”, Vanson Leathers , Fall River, MA
“Buffalove Fest”, Buffalo Zoo, Buffalo, NY
2013 “Last Minute Panic”, Western New York Book Arts Center, Buffalo, NY
“Queen City Market”, Karpeles Manuscript Museum, Buffalo, NY
“Artists & Friends Exhibition”, NACC, Niagara Falls, NY
“Enhance Elmwood” Community Canvases Public Art Project, Buffalo, NY
“Midsummer Night's Draw” Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center, Buffalo, NY
2012 “Postcards From the Edge”, Sikkema Jenkins & Co, New York, NY
“Last Minute Panic”, Western New York Book Arts Center, Buffalo, NY
“Queen City Market”, Karpeles Manuscript Museum, Buffalo, NY
“4th Annual Members’ Show”, Western New York Book Arts Center, Buffalo, NY
Publications:
2018 "Devil Chicken Design Creates Mod Motorcycle Art of Danger and Death", The Drive, Time Inc, Tampa, FL
"Devil Chicken Design", Oneland Magazine, Montreal, CA
"Not Just Any Chicken, A Devil Chicken", Motorcycle Culture Hijinx, Scotch Plains, NJ
2017 "Art of our Culture: Devil Chicken Design", Cycle Source Magazine (Issue 251), Tarentum, PA
"2017 Source Awards: Artist of the Year - Chris Galley", Cycle Source Magazine (Issue 250), Tarentum, PA
"A Spark in the Chaos Life Produces Fuel Cleveland", Cycle Source Magazine (Issue 249), Tarentum, PA
"Fuel Cleveland 2017" American Iron (issue356), Stamford, CT
"Fuel Cleveland Motorcycle, Art & Photography Show 2017", Wild Motorcycles, Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, France
"Fuel Cleveland", Dice Magazine (issue 75)
"Voodoo & Burnt Rubber V @ Essex Street Art Center", Buffalo Rising, Buffalo, NY
"The Cycle Showcase", Cycle Source Magazine (Issue 244), Tarentum, PA
"Class Notes", 1300 Elmwood, Buffalo, NY
"Spoke & Dagger", Buffalo Rising, Buffalo, NY
2016 "Top of the Chops: Our List of "Don't Miss" Events", Street Chopper, Irvine, CA
"Devil Chicken Design artist exhibits in Swiss show", West Seneca Bee, West Seneca, NY
"Art & Wheels Basel II", Easyriders Europe
"Art & Wheels Basel II", Dice Magazine (issue 66)
"Art & Wheels Basel 2016", Hot Bike Magazine Online
2015 "Gifted: Gifts of Art by Gifted Local Artists & Holiday Art Market", Buffalo Rising, Buffalo, NY
"Fuel Cleveland", Weirdo: Vol 5 Magazine, Medina, OH
"Barber Vintage Festival 2015", On The Level BMW Magazine, York, PA
"Barber Vintage Festival 2015", Cycle World Magazine Online
"Sparkle and Shine", The Buffalo News, Buffalo, NY
"Recordamos a los Muertos, Porque los Vivos son tan Olvidable", Buffalo Rising, Buffalo, NY
"Music, motorcycles, art on display at Voodoo & Burnt Rubber fundraising event", The Sun, East Aurora, NY
"ABV: Music/Whiskey/Burgers/Beer", The Public, Buffalo, NY
2014 "One Stop Shop-Til-You-Drop", The Public, Buffalo, NY
“Voodoo and Burnt Rubber II To Showcase Art, Motorcycles”, East Aurora Advertiser, East Aurora, NY
“Art Show Held for the Local Motorcycle Community”, The Orchard Park and East Aurora Sun, East Aurora, NY
2013 “Sticks and Stones at 464 Gallery”, Buffalo Rising, Buffalo, NY
“Resurrection: 464 Gallery's Fourth Birthday Party” Artvoice, Buffalo, NY
“Resurrection: Here’s to four years at 464”, Buffalo Rising, Buffalo, NY
“Art Buff: Chris Galley”, Buffalo Rising, Buffalo, NY
“Biker Art”, Buffalo News, Buffalo, NY
“Have You Been There?”, Artvoice, Buffalo, NY
“Magic & Loss: 18th annual Altars Exhibition at El Museo”, Artvoice, Buffalo, NY
2012 “Best of Western New York 2012”, Buffalo Spree, Buffalo, NY
“19 Days of Cool Gifting-Local, For Real”, Buffalo Spree, Buffalo, NY
Teaching Experience:
9/96 - present Art Teacher, West Seneca Central School District, West Seneca, New York. As a teacher at West Senior High School my duties have included teaching Studio in Art, Drawing and Painting, Enhanced Drawing and Painting, Art Portfolio Development, Advanced Placement Studio in Art, Computer Graphics, Advanced Computer Graphics and Digital Photography. I have managed the art club, photography club, served on the building and district technology committees, served as the art department leader, coached football at both the modified and junior varsity levels and both men’s and women’s lacrosse at both the junior varsity and varsity levels. I have also served as a building representative, web master, New York State retirement committee delegate, negotiations committee chairman and treasurer of the West Seneca Teachers Association, Inc. I currently serve WSTA, Inc. as the First Vice President.
Memberships:
National Art Education Association
Albright - Knox Art Gallery
Buffalo Society of Artists Exhibiting Member
State University of New York College at Buffalo
Master of Science in Art Education
(Magna Cum Laude) May 2002
State University of New York College at Buffalo
Bachelor of Science in Art Education
(Magna Cum Laude) May 1996
Finger Lakes Community College
Associates Degree in Sciences and Humanities
(Cum Laude) May 1994
Solo Exhibitions:
2017 "Chop Shop", Progressive Insurance Chop Shop, Sturgis, SD
2015 "Recordamos a Los Muertos, Porque los Vivos son tan Olvidable", iPrintfromHome.com Gallery, Buffalo, NY
2013 “Sticks and Stones”, 464 Gallery, Buffalo, NY
"Voodoo and Burnt Rubber", Broken Sprocket Garage, East Aurora, NY
Selected Juried Exhibitions:
2017 “Queen City Market”, Karpeles Manuscript Museum, Buffalo, NY
“14th Annual Grease Monkey Block Party”, Indian Larry Legacy, Brooklyn, NY
“Jack of All Trades Fine Craft and Trade Fair”, Buffalo, NY
"Fuel Cleveland 2017", Cleveland, OH
"Artblot", Chicago, IL
"Cycle Showcase, STL", St. Louis, MO
“The One Moto Show”, Portland, OR
2016 “Queen City Market”, Karpeles Manuscript Museum, Buffalo, NY
"Mayday, Underground", Rochester, NY
“Altars”, El Museo Francisco Oller y Diego Rivera, Buffalo, NY
“13th Annual Grease Monkey Block Party”, Indian Larry Legacy, Brooklyn, NY
“Jack of All Trades Fine Craft and Trade Fair”, Buffalo, NY
"Oily Souls", Detroit, MI
"Art and Wheels II", Galerie Projektraum, Basel, Switzerland
2015 “Queen City Market”, Karpeles Manuscript Museum, Buffalo, NY
“12th Annual Grease Monkey Block Party”, Indian Larry Legacy, Brooklyn, NY
“Jack of All Trades Fine Craft and Trade Fair”, River Works, Buffalo, NY
"Fuel Cleveland", Cliffs Warehouse, Cleveland, OH
“The Lowside 4”, Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, MD
2014 “Queen City Market”, Karpeles Manuscript Museum, Buffalo, NY
“Altars”, El Museo Francisco Oller y Diego Rivera, Buffalo, NY
“11th Annual Grease Monkey Block Party”, Indian Larry Legacy, Brooklyn, NY
"UNINVITED", Nihil Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
“Jack of All Trades Fine Craft and Trade Fair”, Larkinville, Buffalo, NY
“City of Night III” Silo City, Buffalo, NY
“The Lowside 3”, Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, MD
2013 “Altars”, feature artist, El Museo Francisco Oller y Diego Rivera, Buffalo, NY
“10th Annual Grease Monkey Block Party”, Indian Larry Legacy, Brooklyn, NY
“City of Night II” Silo City, Buffalo, NY
“4:Resurrection. 464 Gallery’s 4th Anniversary Exhibit”, 464 Gallery, Buffalo, NY
“The Lowside 2”, Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, MD
“Art Crawl”, Springville Center for the Arts, Springville, NY
2012 “‘Tis the Season II”, Studio Hart, Buffalo, NY
“464 Presents: Presents”, 464 Gallery, Buffalo, NY
“Hellbent Art Show”, Prophecy Ink Gallery, Louisville, KY
“Monster 2.0”, 464 Gallery, Buffalo, NY
“Witches Ball”, Hotel Lafayette, Buffalo, NY
“10th Annual Music is Art Festival”, Delaware Park, Buffalo, NY
“The One Motorcycle Show” Sandbox Studios, Portland, OR
Selected Group Exhibitions:
2017 “Barber Vintage Festival”, Barber Motorsports Museum, Birmingham, AL
“Voodoo and Burnt Rubber V”, Buffalo, NY
"Motoblot", Chicago, IL
"Old S'Cool Review: Cavalcade of Cars", Event Center, Hamburg, NY
“Cheap Thrills”, Asbury Park Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
2016 “Barber Vintage Festival”, Barber Motorsports Museum, Birmingham, AL
“Voodoo and Burnt Rubber IV”, Buffalo, NY
“Cheap Thrills”, Asbury Park Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
2015 “Barber Vintage Festival”, Barber Motorsports Museum, Birmingham, AL
“Voodoo and Burnt Rubber III”, Broken Sprocket Garage, East Aurora, NY
2014 “Barber Vintage Festival”, Barber Motorsports Museum, Birmingham, AL
“Rubber Side Down Rally”, Lakeshore Overseas VFW Post 1419, Hamburg, NY
“Mods vs. Rockers”, Cleveland, OH
“Voodoo and Burnt Rubber II”, Broken Sprocket Garage, East Aurora, NY
“Spring Open House”, Vanson Leathers , Fall River, MA
“Buffalove Fest”, Buffalo Zoo, Buffalo, NY
2013 “Last Minute Panic”, Western New York Book Arts Center, Buffalo, NY
“Queen City Market”, Karpeles Manuscript Museum, Buffalo, NY
“Artists & Friends Exhibition”, NACC, Niagara Falls, NY
“Enhance Elmwood” Community Canvases Public Art Project, Buffalo, NY
“Midsummer Night's Draw” Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center, Buffalo, NY
2012 “Postcards From the Edge”, Sikkema Jenkins & Co, New York, NY
“Last Minute Panic”, Western New York Book Arts Center, Buffalo, NY
“Queen City Market”, Karpeles Manuscript Museum, Buffalo, NY
“4th Annual Members’ Show”, Western New York Book Arts Center, Buffalo, NY
Publications:
2018 "Devil Chicken Design Creates Mod Motorcycle Art of Danger and Death", The Drive, Time Inc, Tampa, FL
"Devil Chicken Design", Oneland Magazine, Montreal, CA
"Not Just Any Chicken, A Devil Chicken", Motorcycle Culture Hijinx, Scotch Plains, NJ
2017 "Art of our Culture: Devil Chicken Design", Cycle Source Magazine (Issue 251), Tarentum, PA
"2017 Source Awards: Artist of the Year - Chris Galley", Cycle Source Magazine (Issue 250), Tarentum, PA
"A Spark in the Chaos Life Produces Fuel Cleveland", Cycle Source Magazine (Issue 249), Tarentum, PA
"Fuel Cleveland 2017" American Iron (issue356), Stamford, CT
"Fuel Cleveland Motorcycle, Art & Photography Show 2017", Wild Motorcycles, Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, France
"Fuel Cleveland", Dice Magazine (issue 75)
"Voodoo & Burnt Rubber V @ Essex Street Art Center", Buffalo Rising, Buffalo, NY
"The Cycle Showcase", Cycle Source Magazine (Issue 244), Tarentum, PA
"Class Notes", 1300 Elmwood, Buffalo, NY
"Spoke & Dagger", Buffalo Rising, Buffalo, NY
2016 "Top of the Chops: Our List of "Don't Miss" Events", Street Chopper, Irvine, CA
"Devil Chicken Design artist exhibits in Swiss show", West Seneca Bee, West Seneca, NY
"Art & Wheels Basel II", Easyriders Europe
"Art & Wheels Basel II", Dice Magazine (issue 66)
"Art & Wheels Basel 2016", Hot Bike Magazine Online
2015 "Gifted: Gifts of Art by Gifted Local Artists & Holiday Art Market", Buffalo Rising, Buffalo, NY
"Fuel Cleveland", Weirdo: Vol 5 Magazine, Medina, OH
"Barber Vintage Festival 2015", On The Level BMW Magazine, York, PA
"Barber Vintage Festival 2015", Cycle World Magazine Online
"Sparkle and Shine", The Buffalo News, Buffalo, NY
"Recordamos a los Muertos, Porque los Vivos son tan Olvidable", Buffalo Rising, Buffalo, NY
"Music, motorcycles, art on display at Voodoo & Burnt Rubber fundraising event", The Sun, East Aurora, NY
"ABV: Music/Whiskey/Burgers/Beer", The Public, Buffalo, NY
2014 "One Stop Shop-Til-You-Drop", The Public, Buffalo, NY
“Voodoo and Burnt Rubber II To Showcase Art, Motorcycles”, East Aurora Advertiser, East Aurora, NY
“Art Show Held for the Local Motorcycle Community”, The Orchard Park and East Aurora Sun, East Aurora, NY
2013 “Sticks and Stones at 464 Gallery”, Buffalo Rising, Buffalo, NY
“Resurrection: 464 Gallery's Fourth Birthday Party” Artvoice, Buffalo, NY
“Resurrection: Here’s to four years at 464”, Buffalo Rising, Buffalo, NY
“Art Buff: Chris Galley”, Buffalo Rising, Buffalo, NY
“Biker Art”, Buffalo News, Buffalo, NY
“Have You Been There?”, Artvoice, Buffalo, NY
“Magic & Loss: 18th annual Altars Exhibition at El Museo”, Artvoice, Buffalo, NY
2012 “Best of Western New York 2012”, Buffalo Spree, Buffalo, NY
“19 Days of Cool Gifting-Local, For Real”, Buffalo Spree, Buffalo, NY
Teaching Experience:
9/96 - present Art Teacher, West Seneca Central School District, West Seneca, New York. As a teacher at West Senior High School my duties have included teaching Studio in Art, Drawing and Painting, Enhanced Drawing and Painting, Art Portfolio Development, Advanced Placement Studio in Art, Computer Graphics, Advanced Computer Graphics and Digital Photography. I have managed the art club, photography club, served on the building and district technology committees, served as the art department leader, coached football at both the modified and junior varsity levels and both men’s and women’s lacrosse at both the junior varsity and varsity levels. I have also served as a building representative, web master, New York State retirement committee delegate, negotiations committee chairman and treasurer of the West Seneca Teachers Association, Inc. I currently serve WSTA, Inc. as the First Vice President.
Memberships:
National Art Education Association
Albright - Knox Art Gallery
Buffalo Society of Artists Exhibiting Member