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Chris Stevens is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Art and Media at the University of Brighton, where he also serves as Course Leader for the BA Fine Art Painting degree. His work bridges academic teaching and professional artistic practice, centered on the themes of representation, perception, and the role of media in shaping thought.
Stevens’s research interests explore how painting and photography mediate our understanding of reality. He argues that the act of representation—whether visual, legal, or linguistic—is central to how we construct truth and meaning. His artistic process is deeply tied to material engagement, viewing painting not merely as an output but as a mode of thinking. This philosophy underpins his teaching, which emphasizes experimentation, reflection, and openness to unexpected outcomes.
His recent creative outputs include solo and group exhibitions such as Mass Observation, Surface Value, and Surface To Air, which examine the material and conceptual dimensions of painting. These works reflect a sustained inquiry into the interplay between painted and photographic images and their influence on perception.
Stevens has received numerous accolades, including:
- John Moores Prize
- Nat West Art Prize
- BP Portrait Travel Award
- Multiple Arts Council England Awards
His work is held in major collections such as the British Government, Zabludowicz Collection, Eastbourne Council, and the University of Brighton. He has exhibited widely in the UK and internationally and uses digital platforms like blogs and Instagram to extend the reach of his artistic practice beyond traditional gallery contexts.
Stevens studied Fine Art Painting at the University of Brighton (1978–1981) and Fine Art Printmaking at the Central School of Art, London (1981–1982). He began teaching at Brighton in 2001 as a first-year tutor and has since played a leading role in shaping the Fine Art Painting curriculum. He has collaborated on international projects such as Drawing via Dialogue: Brighton and Nagoya, fostering cross-institutional and cross-cultural artistic exchange.
