Chistopher T. Wood, a Milwaukee-based pataphysical illustrator, is the new artist-in-residence at the Pfister Hotel.
Wood will work in the Pfister Hotel’s lobby-level artist studio for one year beginning April 1. He will succeed Nykoli Koslow, a conceptual abstraction artist.
“To be able to connect with hotel guests and incorporate their experiences into my work will result in incredible pieces that will build upon each other to eventually tell the story of the Pfister and all who enter this iconic destination,” Wood said. “By drawing a new piece every day during my residency, I will build a web linking hotel guests across time and space, offering a collection of drawings around the studio for all to enjoy.”
Wood is the 13th artist-in-residence at the Pfister, which is owned and operated by Milwaukee-based Marcus Hotels & Resorts.
“The Pfister’s artist-in-residence program has put a spotlight on the city’s arts community in a uniquely accessible way,” Pfister Hotel managing director Tim Smith said. “We are thrilled to host Christopher and his amazing talent within the hotel’s artist studio. Our guests will be in awe as they watch the transformation of a blank sheet of paper turn into a spectacular piece of art right before their eyes. Christopher’s pieces stand on their own but link in continuum, bringing our guests along in his journey.”
By applying unique processes, he has developed over time, Wood creates drawings consisting of powdered graphite and exquisite shading that form distinct creations. He plans to draw a new piece each day that will eventually become a set of drawings, each serving as an extension of the other.
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The drawings may overlap, enhance or repeat to further showcase the experiences felt at that particular point in time.
Wood’s work has been on display in exhibitions around the globe. Currently, his pieces can be seen at Portrait Society Gallery in Milwaukee as well as in the Wisconsin Artists Biennial 2022 exhibition at the Museum of Wisconsin Art in West Bend.
During his residency, Wood plans to transform one side of the artist studio into a viewable working space so guests can witness his process firsthand. The other side of the studio will be a display and reception area that will allow guests to see Wood’s daily drawings and learn their story.
The studio will also include the opportunity for visitors to answer a prompt, share an experience or submit an image to contribute to Wood’s work.
More information about Wood’s work can be found on his website.
Meanwhile, Koslow will bring his residency to a close. He was awarded the role for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Guests can continue to see his work in the artist studio at the Pfister until March 31 and can also visit Koslow’s new exhibition, “Queer Mythologies: Transabstractions,” in the gallery at the Saint Kate Hotel through June 26.
For more information on The Pfister Hotel’s artist-in-residence program, visit: thepfisterhotel.com/artist-in-residence.
