Past Exhibitions
Christopher Allwine’s Mushroom series is a whimsical exploration of fungi through his surreal and signature artistic lens. Created over the course of several years (and many miles hiked in the forest), this work exemplifies his ability to transform everyday natural elements into captivating visual experiences. The bold colors and ethereal luminosity create a dreamlike quality that blurs the line between the familiar and the fantastical.
Mushrooms hold a symbolic place in Allwine’s oeuvre, reflecting his fascination with organic forms and their connection to growth, decay, and regeneration. By augmenting his scenes with handheld light tools, he is granted the unique ability to approach each photograph as if it were a blank canvas – using theatrical and cinematic techniques to manage composition, create mood, and lead the viewer’s eye.
The Mushroom works are not only visually striking, but also deeply meditative, inviting viewers to ponder the patterns and repetitions found in both art and the natural world. This work captures the essence of Allwine’s approach to fine art photography: elevating simple forms into complex visual narratives that speak to the universal themes of connection and renewal.
Christopher Allwine (b. 1987) is an American photographer and visual storyteller based in Orange County, California. His focus in painted-light photography, often shot at solitary locations without any post-production effects, highlights the ways in which the camera can be used to explore the visual and symbolic nature of the nocturnal image.
Allwine’s motion picture lineage informs his cinematic approach to constructing thought-provoking narratives. His creative process takes place “in camera,” at the moment of capture, and concludes with an alchemical reaction that transforms the external world into one that is both unchanged and extraordinary, realistic and magical.
Renowned for his ‘dreamscape’ aesthetic, Allwine has meticulously honed his craft over the past decade, carving out a distinctive niche within the contemporary art world. His conceptual photography has been exhibited in top art shows throughout Southern California – predominantly within the artist colony of Laguna Beach. In addition to appearing at all three of the city’s highly acclaimed art festivals, his work has been featured at premier venues including The Ritz-Carlton, John Wayne Airport, and the esteemed Festival of Arts & Pageant of the Masters.
