Biography

"The marrow of my work is refuse and 'found objects'; it is usually one or two found objects that inform the spirit and skeleton of the piece that is created. In this act of recycling and rebirth, I strive to imbue my 'trash' sculptures with humor and compassion, and I am honored when someone is moved by them. Hidden or subtle meanings, sometimes puns, run rife in my sculptural work, as do themes of the search for healing, protection and balance in this life. In some sense, I have found trash to be food for an impoverished spirit; and the attention I pay to creating meaning out of what we seek to leave behind-- physically, metaphorically and spiritually-- has been an enriching and inspiring act for me."


2006 Group Shows:
Kris Borchardt - Mixed Media Sculpture, 525 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, 2-person exhibit curated by William Torphy, William Torphy Fine Arts, May - August 2006

The Atrium Gallery, 600 Townsend, San Francisco, CA - Objects of Engagement, juried by Michele Rowe Shields, June-July 2006

2005 Solo Shows:
Nordstrom Couture & Collectors Departments, San Francisco, CA, May 2005, featured sculptor

2005 Group Shows:
Montclair Gallery, Oakland, CA - Bay Area Sculptors, November 2005
Art-Scape Gallery and Sculpture Garden, Walnut Creek, CA - ongoing
The Crucible, Spring Student & Faculty Art Show, Oakland, CA, April 2005

2004 Solo Shows:
Gallery Concord, Concord, CA, August-October 2004, featured sculptor

2004 Group Shows:
Pacific Rim Sculptors Group, 600 Townsend, San Francisco, CA - California Dreaming: 2004 Winter Exhibition, juried by John Toki, January-February 2004
San Francisco Flower and Garden Show, "Garden of Sustainable Delights" exhibit featuring sculpture and furniture, March 2004
Lafayette Gallery Sculpture Garden, Lafayette, CA
Marin Art Festival, San Rafael, CA

2003 Group Shows:
Design Metaphor Gallery, Palm Springs, CA, Sacred Surrounding, sculpture and furniture, January-April 2003
2003 Winter Exhibition, Pacific Rim Sculptors Group, San Francisco, juried by Stephen Wirtz; February-March 2003
StartSOMA Gallery, San Francisco, CA, Propoganda, April-June 2003
The Ruth Bancroft Garden, Walnut Creek, CA, Sculpture in the Garden, June 2003

2002 Solo Shows:
Miller/Kelley Designs, San Francisco, CA, March-June 2002

Group Shows:
Artspan San Francisco Open Studios, San Francisco, CA, October 2002
The Lola Gallery, San Francisco, CA - She's Crafty, June - July 2002

2001 Solo Shows:
RFG Gallery, Portland, Oregon, "Kris Borchardt: Metal and Found Object Sculpture - Selected Works," November-December 2001
"Things with Wings and Other Things" Found Object Sculpture by Kris Borchardt, San Francisco, July 2001

Group Shows:
Artspan San Francisco Open Studios, San Francisco, CA, October 2001
A New Leaf Gallery, Berkeley, CA - "Sit on Your Art" Sculpture as furniture, September-October 2001
ACCI Gallery, Berkeley, CA - Resurrect, Recycle, React: a group exhibition of artists using recycled materials, September 2001
Art for AIDS: Art Auction Benefiting the UCSF AIDS Health Project, Butterfields, San Francisco, July 2001

2000 Solo Shows:
"Everything is Sacred" Found Object Sculpture by Kris Borchardt, San Francisco, 2000

1998-94 Group Shows:
The Zahn Group, Art by Members of the Architecture/Engineering Community, 1998
Gender: Power, Violence, Voice, Gallery at Hastings, Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco, 1996
Piercing the Flesh, Lunasea, San Francisco 1996
Trash to Treasures: A Joint Venture of The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse and Festival at the Lake, Oakland, 1994

Awards
First Place, Adult General Category - "Bird of Protection"
Trash to Treasures: A Joint Venture of The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse and Festival at the Lake, Oakland, 1994

Publications
San Francisco Chronicle, Home & Garden, "Trashing Art: Artist Revives Junk's Spirit, Light and Balance" feature article on Kris Borchardt by Angélica Pence, October 1, 2003
American Art Collector, Juried Competition of Art under $5000, Volume 1, Book 1, Alcove Books,March 2004
Craft of Northern California, Alcove Books, September 2002, Back cover and pages 170-171
Sunset Magazine, April 2002, "Artful Outdoor Seating" p.130
"Craft of Northern California," Alcove Books, publication Fall 2002, Back cover, pps. 170-171

Memberships
American Craft Council (ACC)
International Sculpture Center (ISC)
Pacific Rim Sculptor's Guild (PRSG)
Women Environmental Artists Directory (WEAD)

Teaching
Artist in Residence, ArtSpan City Youth Projects, San Francisco, CA - 2005-present
Assistant Teacher, Metal Fabrication, The Crucible, Oakland, California 2003-present
Substitute Teacher, 'Materiality' Course, Interior Design Department, California College of the Arts, Fall 2004. Guest lecturer and substitute teacher for three 3-hour course periods.

Education
B.A. Honors, Scripps College, Claremont, CA, 1985
Watson Fellow, Thomas J. Watson Foundation, 1985-86
San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, CA, Welding for Sculpture Course 1994
The Crucible, Berkeley, CA, courses in metal fabrication and patination