Chris Mercerhill

Chris Mercerhill was born in Toronto, Ontario and has lived in Columbus, Ohio since 2006.  His curiosity and diverse interests have led him to study art, art history, French, education, and linguistics, all of which influence his creative practice.

The visual works Mercerhill produces are a physical manifestation of the digital and organic algorithms he creates. These systems define and articulate the rules and patterns in each piece. 

His unique creative process involves both adherence and defiance of these rules. “I find repetition to be soothing and satisfying, but I also look to subvert the pattern, breaking it down.  Introducing a bit of chaos into the system makes it more interesting.”  He often welcomes natural limitations to his process, by using only the indigo that he grows himself, or only the black walnuts that fall into his backyard. Other times, he asks his computer to randomly determine how many shapes or what colors to use. There is a constant tension between defining the regularity of a pattern and subsequently breaking it down that drives Mercerhill’s work.