Chris Levine is a pioneering British contemporary artist celebrated for his groundbreaking work in light art. Born in 1960 in Ontario, Canada, to a Canadian father and Scottish mother, he moved to the UK where he studied graphic design at Chelsea School of Art and computer graphics at Central Saint Martins. This fusion of traditional artistic training and digital innovation forms the foundation of his distinctive multidisciplinary practice.Levine is renowned for harnessing light, lasers, holography, and advanced technology to create immersive installations, portraits, and experiences that transcend conventional boundaries. His work explores the intersection of technology, spirituality, and perception, inviting viewers into meditative states of heightened awareness and presence. He works across photography, performance, installation, fashion, music, and design, often collaborating with musicians such as Anohni and the Johnsons, Jon Hopkins, and Massive Attack, as well as designers and cultural institutions.He first gained international acclaim in 2004 with his holographic portraits of Queen Elizabeth II. Commissioned by the Jersey Heritage Trust, Equanimity (2004) became an official royal portrait and was later featured on a commemorative £100 note for the Diamond Jubilee. From the same sessions emerged his most iconic work, Lightness of Being — an ethereal image of the Queen with eyes closed in serene contemplation, wearing the Diamond Diadem. Widely regarded as one of the most evocative royal portraits ever created, it has been described as profoundly moving and as “the most beautiful portrait of the Queen.” Levine has created multiple editions and variations of this seminal piece, which remain highly sought after.Other notable portraits include She’s Light featuring Kate Moss (2013), Compassion of the Dalai Lama (2015), and a 3D portrait of Banksy. His practice extends far beyond portraiture into large-scale, site-specific light installations. Highlights include the monumental Molecule of Light (2021) at Houghton Hall — a towering 25-metre sculpture combining light, sound, and architecture — as well as laser works at historic sites such as Durham Cathedral and the Pyramids of Giza, and at major festivals including Glastonbury and DARK MOFO in Tasmania.Levine’s art often incorporates sacred geometry, sound frequencies, and pure light to foster contemplative encounters, drawing inspiration from spirituality, science, and cosmology. His installations frequently move beyond the gallery into public and natural spaces, making immersive art accessible to wider audiences while pushing the boundaries of how technology can deepen human experience.Works by Chris Levine are held in major collections including the National Portrait Gallery in London, and have been exhibited at institutions such as the Saatchi Gallery, Somerset House, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, and the Science Museum in London. His pieces regularly feature in prestigious auctions and international exhibitions, cementing his status as a leading figure in contemporary light art.At Trent Art, we are proud to showcase works by this visionary artist, whose innovative use of light continues to inspire wonder and introspection.
Levine, Chris (1960 - )
Chris Levine is a pioneering British contemporary artist celebrated for his groundbreaking work in light art. Born in 1960 in Ontario, Canada, to a Canadian father and Scottish mother, he moved to the UK where he studied graphic design at Chelsea School of Art and computer graphics at Central Saint Martins. This fusion of traditional artistic training and digital innovation forms the foundation of his distinctive multidisciplinary practice.Levine is renowned for harnessing light, lasers, holography, and advanced technology to create immersive installations, portraits, and experiences that transcend conventional boundaries. His work explores the intersection of technology, spirituality, and perception, inviting viewers into meditative states of heightened awareness and presence. He works across photography, performance, installation, fashion, music, and design, often collaborating with musicians such as Anohni and the Johnsons, Jon Hopkins, and Massive Attack, as well as designers and cultural institutions.He first gained international acclaim in 2004 with his holographic portraits of Queen Elizabeth II. Commissioned by the Jersey Heritage Trust, Equanimity (2004) became an official royal portrait and was later featured on a commemorative £100 note for the Diamond Jubilee. From the same sessions emerged his most iconic work, Lightness of Being — an ethereal image of the Queen with eyes closed in serene contemplation, wearing the Diamond Diadem. Widely regarded as one of the most evocative royal portraits ever created, it has been described as profoundly moving and as “the most beautiful portrait of the Queen.” Levine has created multiple editions and variations of this seminal piece, which remain highly sought after.Other notable portraits include She’s Light featuring Kate Moss (2013), Compassion of the Dalai Lama (2015), and a 3D portrait of Banksy. His practice extends far beyond portraiture into large-scale, site-specific light installations. Highlights include the monumental Molecule of Light (2021) at Houghton Hall — a towering 25-metre sculpture combining light, sound, and architecture — as well as laser works at historic sites such as Durham Cathedral and the Pyramids of Giza, and at major festivals including Glastonbury and DARK MOFO in Tasmania.Levine’s art often incorporates sacred geometry, sound frequencies, and pure light to foster contemplative encounters, drawing inspiration from spirituality, science, and cosmology. His installations frequently move beyond the gallery into public and natural spaces, making immersive art accessible to wider audiences while pushing the boundaries of how technology can deepen human experience.Works by Chris Levine are held in major collections including the National Portrait Gallery in London, and have been exhibited at institutions such as the Saatchi Gallery, Somerset House, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, and the Science Museum in London. His pieces regularly feature in prestigious auctions and international exhibitions, cementing his status as a leading figure in contemporary light art.At Trent Art, we are proud to showcase works by this visionary artist, whose innovative use of light continues to inspire wonder and introspection.
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