Kris Sunkee’s Offering
by Ella V Reid
Hosted at the Compendium Gallery, Tattoo artist and Painter Kris Sunkee has made his official debut to the contemporary art world and what a debut it was! Selling out his first solo show is something emerging artists dream of, and for Sunkee it was an added bonus of getting to share something that was so personal to him to the public.
Sunkee’s grand scale painting with his combination of a realist and abstract aesthetic with the use of the female form as a vehicle to express ideologies around sexuality, consciousness and the multifaceted dimensions of human existence.
Opening night for his show An offering to God saw friends, family and those just wanting to catch a glimpse of Sunkee’s incredible artistic ability gather to revel in something that this artist has put his time, effort and very state of being into was truly heartwarming to see.
To see Sunkee exhibit something he is so very passionate about and to have it receive the ultimate expression of approval is truly astonishing to see.
Curators Highlights
Kris Sunkee
Ive Been High, Ive Been Low
2023
Oil on Belgium linen
166cm x 116cm
$6,800
SOLD
This grand scale canvas of a fragmented female really encompasses a key ideology that Sunkee explores in this collection of works. This large painting clearly expresses the levels our state of consciousness can achieve, to reflect on the complex fabric of our own interconnected awareness. The use of repetition of the female face and it being such a subjective motif face allows for such a strong connection to the work as a viewer.
This motif adopts a key Modernist ideal, the use of an abstract aesthetic, motif or subject matter that isn't forcing any specific feeling onto the viewer, rather allowing for the viewer to project their own thoughts, feelings and experiences onto the work. And for Sunkee to have created this sense with such a simple motif such as repetition is extremely outstanding and only highlights Sunkees ability to connect with his audience.
Kris Sunkee
The Colour of Bruises
2023
Oil on panel
70cm x 60cm
$3,500
SOLD
Painted of a woman who was once a part of Sunkees life, The Colour of Bruises takes influence from the Pre Raphaelite movement, sharing a similarity with the movements most iconic work The Lady of Shalott by John Williams Waterhouse. Though the work still sticks to Sunkees auteurial qualities including an abstract background, still giving that strong naturalistic sense. This envelops the realistic female figure, giving an overall tranquil feeling to the work. This work was one of the smaller works exhibited in this show but was a favourite for many.
The work was purchased by a woman who though had never bought a piece of art in her life, knew she had to have this piece as it reminded her of the previously mentioned The Lady of Shalott. Sunkee and the Compendium were more than honoured to be a part of this woman's first artistic purchase and hope she enjoys the painting for many years to come.
The Compendium Gallery is honoured to have hosted Kris Sunkee’s first solo exhibition An Offering to God and we look forward to what comes next for this marvel of a painter.
An Offering to God was hosted at The Compendium Gallery from 22nd of September to the 7th of October 2023.
To view the catalogue please Click Here
Though the show has sold out, Kris Sunkee has works in his studio available for purchase as well as his books open for commissions. For any enquiries please contact us at hello@compendiumgallery.com
