Artist

Chris Peterson (De Bilt, NL, 1976) is a Dutch-British sculptor renowned for his large-scale public artworks that explore the fluidity of identity and the evolving nature of space. His creations often serve as landmarks in urban and rural environments, prompting reflection on how spaces are perceived and used by diverse communities.

Peterson’s sculptures are thoughtful interventions that challenge viewers to reconsider their relationship with space and identity. Through his monumental works, Peterson fosters a deeper understanding of how environments shape and are shaped by human experience.

His sculptures often feature monumental forms crafted from materials such as stone, concrete, and bronze. For instance, his piece To Look Beyond Our Confinements stands at 6 meters tall and weighs approximately 50 tons, made from concrete panels. This work exemplifies his interest in creating substantial, tactile pieces that engage with their environment.

Peterson’s work delves into the complexities of identity in contemporary society, where traditional anchors like nature, religion, and family are increasingly fluid. He observes how space, be they urban, architectural, or cultural, can shift in meaning depending on the people who inhabit them. This observation leads him to dissect and reinterpret these spaces through sculpture, offering new perspectives and structures that invite viewers to reconsider their surroundings.

His sculptures are installed worldwide, including locations in South Korea, Japan, China, Australia, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, and several other European countries. He collaborates with landscape architects, developers, and local communities to design artworks that resonate with their specific contexts.

Chris was recently commissioned to create a new site-specific work for Zenith of Kempele, an old stone crushing plant that is being transformed into a new tourist and recreational area in Kempele, North Ostrobothnia, Finland. The project will take place in two parts in August 2025 and August 2026 under the theme ‘Traces’. The project is part of the Oulu2026 European Cultural Capital programme.

See an international selection of the public artworks made by Chris Peterson on the world map

Peterson’s work has been showcased in various exhibitions, including the ARTZUID Sculpture Biennale in Amsterdam, Museum Pfalz Galerie in Germany and the Anningahof Estate and Sculpture Park in the Netherlands. In 2014, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal British Society of Sculptors, underscoring his significant contribution to the field. He won the Millfield School Sculpture Prize in 2007.