Chris Combs

Orchestration (Beeswax)

Time-based sculpture; LEDs, wires, circuit boards, computer, beeswax

About the artist

Chris Combs

Chris Combs is an artist working with technology in Washington, D.C. His artworks respond to pressing themes of surveillance, artificial intelligence, and algorithmic failure—and to the viewer, using facial recognition and motion sensing. He employs a wide range of practices to create circuit boards, software, and enclosures for interactive and time-based wood, metal, and found-object sculptures, which both embrace and question technology.

Combs's first solo exhibition, Judging Me Judging You, at the DC Arts Center's Nano Gallery explored themes of surveillance and control, and his installation Maelstrom at Rhizome DC featured 35 machines spreading rumors about its visitors. "Madness Method," a large-scale collaboration with David Greenfieldboyce, was part of the Georgetown GLOW public art festival. He was selected as the Derek Lieu Spring 2020 Artist-in-Residence at HOLE IN THE SKY, and is a recipient of the DC CAH Arts and Humanities Fellowship program. His "Morale is Mandatory" was shortlisted for the 2021 Aesthetica Art Prize.

A graduate of the Corcoran College of Art + Design, Combs was a photo editor for National Geographic for five years and has photographed autism, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and traffic cones.