Matt: Chris, we’re so excited to share your life and work with our clients and friends. Let’s start with the basics – share a bit of your childhood and some key moments in realizing your “call” so to speak.
When Matt Palmer invited me to share my story, that was a call I wasn’t expecting. Why would a financial/private wealth management company have interest in an artist? What possibly could we have in common? Why would my story matter?
My parents have been friends of Mark and Matt Palmer for years. They share deep Columbus connections, serving on Boards together and of course the common bonds of golf stories and a lifelong history.
As Matt and I spoke, it became clear rather quickly why my story resonated with The Joseph Group. In fact, Matt made an observation no one had ever expressed to me. He called my artistic journey a “Ministry.” I had never thought of it that way. Yet, it is exactly what my life has become; a calling to help others see the beauty in themselves as well as the world around them.
In my frame of thinking, what was once lost, forgotten, abandoned has endless possibilities.
Thinking back to my childhood on Berkshire Road, I recall my first impulses to rescue and repurpose the found object. When I gathered up items strewn out on the curb, left for the garbage pickup, after a flood, I had no idea they would become the foundation for my creative philosophy.
What others saw as trash, I saw as treasure. It all makes sense now. My first art studio was the clubhouse my father built for me in the garage. What was meant to be a hide out for most kids became my original world of Forgotten Beauty Found. The lens of my eye combined with what the heart feels, guided my curation of the gallery/clubhouse. From those early days wandering the streets of Upper Arlington, looking for unseen treasures, I have spent my life wandering the streets of New York and Brooklyn, Cuba, and across the globe; eyes wide open to endless possibility in places least expected.
Another significant moment in my life was when I opened the CR Obetz Gallery for emerging artists. While attending Kenyon, I saw a window to get involved in the redevelopment of the Short North and at the same time offer a curated space for local talent to showcase their work. Always knowing I had a keen eye for talent, my genuine love for our city and the arts found a purpose. Only 19, what better way to jump right in and try and make a difference. Ultimately, this led to my first run for an elected office, Columbus City Council, where I ran on the urban renewal philosophy. Seeing the Forgotten Beauty in our city, I felt it was my opportunity and responsibility to become part of the leadership. What may have not turned into a political victory, still became a grass roots victory for me as a person, deepening my commitment to public service.
The standout moment came, when I fought to save, rescue, and repurpose Roy Lichtenstein’s Brush Strokes in Flight. Today, this iconic Pop Art Sculpture stands tall at the Columbus Airport, welcoming visitors, and residents. With its upward brushstroke movements, it encourages one and all to reach to the sky with soaring dreams while representing a city always looking to the future.
Matt: Wonderful. Let’s share more with our listeners about your work and ministry. How would you describe what you do and the audiences for whom you do it.
What was once forgotten, has been found, to live again in new ways with a greater purpose and meaning.
If anyone would ask me “what I would want my legacy to be,” I would say to instill a sense of hope in people. Teach them to believe in themselves, never give up and know that dreams do come true.
In a world today that is based on AI, I teach reality. My stories are true. Every work is original, and one-of-a-kind, just like each of us. Life is about being authentic not fabricated. As an object must be true to itself and serve a purpose. Art without meaning and purpose, is simply decorative. The same can be said about life. If we are not engaged in a life of meaning and purpose, we simply aren’t living.
Metaphorically speaking, an object like a person is not stagnant. We change and grow. We can develop a new meaning and a new purpose. Time allows for us to keep adding layers to our lives. It is how we choose to use the gift of age and time to unlock new passion and freedom.
“I like to think of myself as a small pebble tossed into still pond. Once, the pebble cracks the surface of the water, a ripple effect occurs, reaching out to the shores having a positive impact on everyone it touches. As each person realizes their own potential, they pay it forward in their own unique way.”
Matt: So fascinating. Love your mission in life. You’ve shared with me your story of “the chair.” Tell us more about that and what it represents to you and those you share it with?
In the early 2000s, I was asked by my New York gallery to join them on a mission to serve the Jewish community in Cuba. It was also the time of the Cuban Biannual global contemporary arts shows. I never imagined that I would discover my creative muse on the streets of Havana.
A story that lives today, the story of CHAIR, a humble chair made from scraps of rebar, three slats of wood and a rumpled aluminum seat, captured my attention and my heart.
After a long day walking the streets of Havana, with my cameras, in search of Forgotten Beauty Found, I found my soul mate. As I walked into my hotel, the Cuban taxi stand worker stood up. It was at that moment when I discovered CHAIR. CHAIR became the instant personification of myself; hard working, always trying to make others comfortable and happy, undiscovered yet always hopeful. I saw in CHAIR what I saw in myself and what I wanted for others, hope. From that moment forward, we would become best friends and collaborators. The story of CHAIR, rising from his humble beginnings to a global icon of hope, would become legendary.
For a week, together, side by side, carried on the shoulders of the Cuban taxi driver, we set out to tell the story of Cuba. CHAIR became the subject of all my photography. The found object, once forgotten now found, would explore his own city in new ways. We could then share the story of Cuba with others. Little did we know at the time, CHAIR would escape communism with me to the freedom of America. What we had no idea was that within two months of leaving the streets of Havana, CHAIR would be asked to sit in a museum exhibition of the 50 most important designed chairs in global history. CHAIR was 51.
It is a story of believing, never giving up and the reality that anything is possible. Today, CHAIR shares his stories with all who will listen and all who believe. Hope, Faith and Possibility are the hallmarks of CHAIR and those who come to embrace the story. Unlike fairy tales, the story of CHAIR is true. A remarkable journey that never ends.
Today, the CHAIR “posse” includes over 300 found and rescued chairs, all with their own unique personalities and mission. Like CHAIR, we each have our own story and purpose. One never knows when our time will come, we simply must believe and never lose hope.
In discovering CHAIR, I discovered myself. With CHAIR, I was discovered.
Matt: Looking back, what’s been a special moment when you saw your work really connecting with your audience. What do you hope your work inspires in the lives of those you share it with?
Before CHAIR, rescuing the content of golf art history, brings to mind some of my treasured moments as an artist, historian and teacher. Finding the original drawings and scratchboards of Anthony Ravielli at a Madison Avenue Art Gallery was a defining moment in my life.
Had it not been for my grandfather putting Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons: Modern Fundamentals of Golf in my golf bag at the driving range at Scioto CC, I might never have been able to recognize what I was seeing that famed day in New York. Those illustrations for me and millions of others are the basis for modern golf instruction.
My first impulse was to protect and preserve, in its integrity, the entire body of work. Rather than see it sold piece by piece at auction, I wanted to make sure the content of golf art history could be seen by the world. From that moment forward, I would go on to learn as much about the original artist as possible and share his personal stories of working with the likes of Hogan, Bobby Jones, Patty Berg, and countless golf legends of the 20th century.
From the original rescue, I created what’s come to be known as the modern Pop Art Golf series. It is a celebration of the past, present and future. Using the Ben Hogan Swing Sequence as a metaphor for life lessons, my greatest joy has come from working with the First Tee Foundation. Being able to share the stories of golf history with the new faces in golf, using art as the connector, I have been able to reach a new audience where we discuss the golf swing as it relates to life; having a backswing, transition, a follow through and what I consider the most important lesson, having an impact.
These are the moments, when I look into the eyes of young golfers, even some parents, and grandparents, and see the wonderment of possibility. It is also the opportunity when I get to share the “Core Values” of the First Tee. Little did I know, when asked by Matt to share my story, I would learn that The Joseph Group has its own set of “Core Values.”
If I had one wish, it would be for each of us to embrace our past, live in the present and open our eyes to the future. It is never too late to start a new journey as long as we believe.