About
Chris Valentine is an artist & illustrator from Johannesburg, South Africa. His interest in illustration began at a young age with obsessive sketches of Asterix & Obelix, comic book superheroes and the making of action figures from paper, cardboard and whatever else he could find.
It was only in high school that he realised he could make a career out of his passion for drawing when his love of music led him to album artwork by Alex Pardee and Derek Hess for the bands The Used and In Flames, respectively. Chris spent his school days drawing Iron Maiden album covers, WWII photographs and mock illustrations for his favourite clients.
Once he finished matric, he applied as a graphic design intern at Rivers Church, where he worked on branding material, album covers and artwork, leading to his decision to go freelance in 2010. Starting out with graphic design and branding, Chris slowly built up a client base through word of mouth and online exposure, eventually persuading certain clients to allow him to integrate illustration into their branding. As things currently stand, Chris has had the opportunity to work with many of his dream clients, including Nike, Apple and Coca-Cola. Chris has been nurturing a love for oil painting and street art in his years as an illustrator & is hoping to exhibit more frequently in the near future, as well as travel to paint murals.
Clients
Nike, Coca-Cola, Apple, Bridgestone, Red Bull, Ray-Ban, Sanlam, Lyle & Scott, Converse, KFC, Advanced Photoshop Magazine, Exclusive Books, Cash Converters, Design Indaba, Edgars, GQ, FHM, Sports Illustrated, Universal Music, The Loeries, MK.
Features & Awards
– Behance home page feature
– Illustration Served feature
– Advanced Photoshop Magazine
– Design Times cover
– Winner of the Lyle & Scott 140 year competition
– Illustrations featured in an animation at The Loeries 2015
– Beautiful Bizarre Magazine feature
– YAY Los Angeles blog feature
Exhibitions
Illustrator’s show – Kalashnikovv Gallery, JohannesburgWorks on consignment – Dimitrov Gallery, Dullstroom
Lyle & Scott exhibition – MOMO Gallery, Johannesburg
Group show – Glyph Gallery
SMEG/Grolsch fridge exhibition – Museum of Modern Art, Johannesburg
Red Bull fridge exhibition – Braamfontein private space, Johannebsurg
Ray-Ban Store – Private Collection
Bondage Group Show – Spasie Gallery, Cape Town
Animation Show – WITS University
Group Show – Rust en Vrede Gallery, Cape Town
Illustrator’s Show (Alexander’s Band) – Design Indaba
Rotary Exhibition – Hyde Park Corner
Designers Against Child Slavery Exhibition – New York & South Carolina
Bridgestone Campaign Launch – Arts on Main, Johannesburg
2017 BLISS Solo Show, 99 Loop Gallery, Cape Town
2017 FNB JHB Art Fair
2017 Investec Cape Town Art Fair
2018 Subtext Solo Show, 99 Loop Gallery Cape Town
2018 FNB JHB Art Fair
2018 Investec Cape Town Art Fair
2019 A Trap For The Escape Artist Solo Show, 99 Loop Gallery, Cape Town
2019 Investec Cape Town Art Fair
2019 Turbine Art Fair