About Chris Spollen

For over thirty years, award-winning illustrator Chris Spollen transitioned from using traditional materials on paper to developing a passion for creating expansive digital mixed media projects. He also incorporated found objects into three-dimensional sculptures, reflecting his love for space, steampunk, and the sea.

His diverse client list included nationally recognized publications such as Boy’s Life, McGraw Hill, and Penthouse. His work was regularly featured in illustration industry annuals like Spectrum: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art and the Society of Illustrators Annuals, as well as in his self-published collections, Aprodisia One and Two.

Spollen’s art was showcased in solo exhibitions at the Staten Island Museum and the Society of Illustrators, and was part of the acclaimed Robot show at the Norman Rockwell Museum. He also participated in numerous juried group exhibitions.

He created a series of metal and wood sculptures, with themes ranging from flying ships to airplanes. Spollen gathered materials from the beaches of his small island home and his household pantry. His art evoked a simpler time of tin toys, trains, planes, and automobiles, capturing the unbridled joy and naiveté of youth.

Spollen's passion for creating art was matched by his dedication to teaching, inspiring students at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Chris Spollen passed away on September 10th, 2019, and is dearly missed by his close friends and colleagues in the illustration world.