The Experiential Art of Hyperrealism – Cj Hendry

Cj Hendry is a New York-based artist from Brisbane, Australia. Originally a student of architecture at the Queensland University of Technology and finance at the University of Queensland, she dropped out to pursue an art career in 2013 and relocated to New York in 2015.

Working with ink on paper, her pieces are achieved through layers of what she refers to as ‘scribbles’. She uses photographs with edited saturated lighting, a ruler and a pen as a guide for her drawings.

With no formal art training, Cj’s practice began as a hobby. Grounded in a fascination with contemporary material culture, her infatuation turned into large-scale, hyper-photorealistic drawings. Working with ink on paper, her pieces are achieved through layers of what she refers to as ‘scribbles’. She uses photographs with edited saturated lighting, a ruler and a pen as a guide for her drawings.

“My process is the same for every piece I create. I photograph the subject, whether it’s an item such as a flower, boxing gloves or of something I create. I enjoy being able to create the reference image that I then photograph and draw, as opposed to drawing an object created by someone else. It allows for a more layered process, to capture imperfections and create beautiful details.”

Cj’s exhibits are not intended to be passively observed but, rather, actively experienced through engaging, fun and thought-provoking exhibits.

Cj’s exhibits are not intended to be passively observed but, rather, actively experienced through engaging, fun and thought-provoking exhibits. Cj comments, “I enjoy creating conceptual exhibitions that take elements of the series and blow them up on a massive scale. I would love for each original artwork to only be able to be viewed as the entire experience. It brings such a greater depth to the genre of hyperrealism.”

Cj has achieved a lot since 2013 and has grown in bounds. In 2016, Cj expanded her practice with the launch of a collaboration with fashion house Christian Louboutin. The resulting exhibition, held at the Fringe Club in Hong Kong as part of the 2017 Art Basel, marked Cj’s first time working with colour and wax pencil.

In her latest exhibition, ‘Plaid’, Cj delves deeper into the concept of experiential and participatory art.

In recent years, she has risen in prominence through her hyperrealistic depictions of luxury objects such as Nike sneakers to colourful interpretations of Rorschach test. In her latest exhibition, ‘Plaid’, Cj delves deeper into the concept of experiential and participatory art. Centred around the theme of nostalgia, ‘Plaid’ takes the shape of a playground and aims for viewers to connect with their inner child and experience the innocence and simplicity of joy we shed as we age.

Her practice is constantly evolving. Cj explains, “It’s important for my practice that I don’t continue to revisit old concepts, and this was a new perspective on the abstract hyperrealism that I am drawn to.”

Cj exhibits her work all over the world and each has a profound effect, leaving visitors feeling enriched and inspired.

Cj exhibits her work all over the world and each has a profound effect, leaving visitors feeling enriched and inspired. With her celebrity clientele – and many works in private collections – Cj’s waitlist is now well over 3,000, with a wait time of up to five years.

In terms of plans for the future, Cj says, “I’m excited to explore my creativity off the page. I’m obsessed with interior design and I want to create high-end chairs. I recently launched Leonard Street (a towel brand), and I would love to open a high-end hotel in Australia where I could control and customise every single element of design.”