Christian Holstad

United by attitude rather than medium or method, Christian Holstad’s work probes received ideas about class, culture, sexuality and society. A keen eye on concepts of high and low informs a body of work that, encompassing sculpture, installation, performance, photography, ceramics, collage and textiles, is concerned with the construction and manifestation of social and intimate spaces. Holstad's practice has explored domestic and subcultural sites, often exploring and calling into question preconceived notions of identity and desire.

Holstad has often examined the conceptual and aesthetic resonance of the vessel as part of a wider enquiry into cycles of consumption and their effects on the world. Many of his recent ceramic works are the result of an extended period living and working in Faenza, Italy, which is home to the historical manufacture of majolica ware known as faience. Working closely with Italian ceramicists, Holstad has developed new ways of working with clay that expand on the techniques – variously American, English and Japanese – to which he was already accustomed. In his ongoing series of Eraserhead drawings the artist selectively erases sections of images cut from newspapers and magazines, transforming their meanings in ways that hint at hidden or subtextual layers beneath the surface.

About the Artist

?Christian Holstad was born in Anaheim, California in 1972 and lives and works between New York City and Romagna, Italy.

Recent solo exhibitions include Museo Civico Luigi Varoli, Cotignola, Ravenna (2024); Massimo de Carlo Pièce Unique, Paris (2023); Slow Fish, Genova (2021); Ca' Foscari University, Venice (2019); Andrew Kreps Gallery, New York (2017 and 2013) and Galleria national d'arte moderna, Rome (2009).

The artist presented the multi-disciplinary performance work red, yellow, lime, pink, lavender, green, scarlet, lavender, scarlet, green, lavender as part of The Magazine Sessions 2016 at the Serpentine Galleries, London, and has participated in group exhibitions including The Flames: The Age of Ceramics, Musee d’art Moderne, Paris (2021); Transitions and Transformations,? NSU Art Museum, Fort Lauderdale (2019-21); Harald Szeemann - Grandfather: A Pioneer Like Us, Swiss Institute, New York (2019); A Cool Breeze, Galerie Rudolfinum, Prague (2019); Chromaphilia & Chromaphobia, Kansas City Art Institute (2016); From The Ruins..., 601Artspace, New York (2015); Hangzhou Triennial of Fiber Art, Hangzhou, China (2013); Paper, Saatchi Gallery, London (2013); Aquatopia, Nottingham Contemporary, Nottingham, touring to Tate St Ives (2013); Graphite, Indianapolis Museum of Art (2013); The Air We Breathe, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (2011); Coming After, The Power Plant, Toronto (2011); Compilation IV, Kunsthalle, Dusseldorf (2009); Compass in Hand: Selections from the Judith Rothschild Collection, Museum of Modern Art, New York (2009); Unmonumental (Inaugural Exhibition), New Museum, New York (2017) and Uncertain States of America, Serpentine Gallery, London (2006). Holstad participated in the Lyon Biennial in 2007 and the Whitney Biennial in New York in 2004.

His work is in the permanent collections of institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, New York; Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh; Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami; Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago and Astrup Fearnley Museet for Moderne Kunst, Oslo.