Vulnerability 24 - Abstract Oil Painting

In the new 'Vulnerability' series, Kris Ancog explores the complexity of human emotions and paradoxically unifies chaos and peace in abstracted ethereal worlds. Being a witness of tragedies and miracles in his professional nursing career, Ancog weaves life stories in each layer of oil paint on his canvas and infuses tales of courage in the face of uncertainty.

The atmospheric images Ancog creates reveal underlying influences of the old masters but they ultimately forge abstract expressions that unfold the juxtaposition of the discomfort and beauty of living a vulnerable yet authentic self. The artist applies multiple layers of oil paint on his canvas, creating evocative dreamscapes with a disorientating but harmonious fusion of natural and unnatural palette. With his masterful use of colours and textures, Ancog presents to us these illuminated abstract landscapes that summons familiar but rather stirring emotions, empowering us to contemplate on our own vulnerability and imperfection.

Meditations upon the fragility of life are the genesis of Vulnerability, and the light in nature is the artist’s constant inspiration. As Ancog watches the sunset and meditates, he is reminded of all the things he holds dearly, and how they could be taken away at any moment. Surrendering to it all, Ancog faithfully chooses love, courage, resilience, and hope, over what can sometimes be a cynical and brooding world, trusting that his faith and appreciation of all that he loves and passionately yearns for in life will be the means upon which he cultivates authentic and meaningful connections.

Ancog’s Vulnerability series is a heart-warming portrayal of complicated emotions, which also gives us a glimpse of the unfathomed fragment of the human condition. This series also reminds us that vulnerability involves taking risks, such as fully embracing life even if it doesn’t come with guarantees. In the end, these paintings invite us to ponder deeply on the things that truly matter in our lives, and how much we value them with gratitude and joy.

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Kris Ancog is a Sydney-based artist who uses art as a visual storytelling method; evoking emotions, and experiences that are beyond words.

Calling himself a painter of meditative dreamscapes, the artist channels creativity to explore beauty, peace, and serenity. Over the years, his work has evolved from traditional landscapes to ethereal abstracts that allow the viewer to develop their own interpretation through a contemplative process.

Kris develops his artworks through multiple translucent layers of paint with wide flat brushes, referencing photos and videos as guides for colour schemes or the behaviour of light in a landscape. As such, the paintings become heavily inspired by light in nature and meditation, as well as art from European 19th-century artists, J. M. W. Turner and Claude Monet. His most popular series, reveal the ethereal, magical effect of light: the Aurora Illuminata series. Evoking positive emotions, the paintings bring a sense of peace and calm to his collectors.

Thanks to the layers, small paintings can take from hours to a week, and large works taking several weeks to months — as such, the artist is often at work on multiple projects. Using a delicate palette with mainly with acrylic and oil or sometimes inks and resin, Kris sets out to capture light in nature. It all depends on the vision — maximising either the shorter drying time for acrylics which achieves a sense of movement or the versatility of oils which allows time to blend without drying.

Over a decade ago, while Kris was working as a full time registered nurse, he felt the pull to recover the creative life from childhood. Pursuing art gave him a sense of balance and provided the artist with a unique way of telling stories about life and dreams through colours and forms.

Kris established Sanctum Gallery in Randwick NSW in 2021. It is a space dedicated to showing his ethereal dreamscapes. The artist relishes in the joy from his collectors’ feedback — how the paintings inspire them and bring positivity in their homes. As for Kris, this creative life was just once a dream, and he has learned that it takes a lot of hard work, patience and faith to turn dreams into reality. His mantra, “to pursue excellence and achieve my highest potential.”