CHRISTOPHER SCHADE: ENVISIONED LANDSCAPES

may 4 - june 15, 2024

Gallery VERY is pleased to present Envisaged Landscapes, a solo exhibition by Christopher Schade. Working between plein air observation and studio-based invention, Schade constructs psychologically charged landscapes that explore the tension between what we perceive and what we believe. Beginning with on-site “Perceived Landscapes,” he anchors his compositions in shared visual reality before transforming them in the studio into “Envisaged Landscapes”—paintings that defy realism through dislocated color, abstracted pattern, and spatial ambiguity. By destabilizing familiar cues, Schade invites viewers into a space where recognition dissolves into doubt and meaning remains elusive. Rooted in Schade’s bi-cultural upbringing, his family’s unique forms of communication, and a deep curiosity about how we construct reality, the work explores the overlap of memory, imagination, and perception. From camouflaged forms to manipulated patterns that resist repetition, the paintings echo both personal and collective illusions. Envisaged Landscapes challenges us to consider not only how we see, but how we believe—a timely reflection in a world increasingly shaped by conflicting truths and fragile consensus. The opening reception will take place on Friday, May 2, from 6 to 10 PM. A gallery talk with the artist will be held on Saturday, May 10, from 2:30 to 3:30 PM. Gallery VERY is open on Saturdays from 2 to 5 PM and by appointment.

Photography by Julia Featheringill