Chris RWK is a New York City–based visual artist whose work bridges street art, pop culture, and introspective storytelling. From an early age, he absorbed the imagery of comic books, sci-fi, film, television, and music, storing those visual impulses in what he describes as his “mental journal.” Those collected images now act as fuel for a visual lexicon built around his signature robot icon.
As a child of the late ’70s and ’80s, Chris’s earliest sketches emulated cartoons and comic strips; by his early teens, he was tagging walls around Staten Island and photographing graffiti outside his door. Over time, letters gave way to characters — the robot figure came to symbolize emotional states, resilience, vulnerability, and the tension between machine and
humanity.
The name Robots Will Kill was coined during a residency in Vermont in 1999. The phrase crystallized an idea: repetition can numb you, turning once-vibrant acts into mechanical ritual. Chris adopted the name publicly in 2001, launching RobotsWillKill.com as an open platform for creators overlooked by traditional galleries and institutions. “You wouldn’t give us space, so we built one,” he later reflected. Over time the site evolved into a collective, uniting artists across the globe who shared a DIY, emotionally resonant approach.
Chris also holds formal credentials: an Associate’s degree from FIT and a BFA in Painting from Hunter College. Those years of study sharpened his use of color, structure, layering, and composition. Yet he continues to meet the street on its terms — painting murals, sticker campaigns, and collaborative walls whenever possible. His 2009 mural with Veng, inspired by Where the Wild Things Are, is a testimony to his enduring street practice.
Today, Chris’s work has evolved toward greater psychological depth. His use of layering, texture, and color is more intentional. The robot remains his emotional avatar — slouched, simple, with an “X” heart — but its gestures now carry more nuance. Viewers are invited to bring their own stories.
Above all, Chris remains committed to the idea that art is for everybody. Through RWK he advocates for recognition of underrepresented artists, pushes back on exploitative “exposure” deals, and insists that artists know their value.
He is active in exhibition circuits — both solo and group — with galleries like Harman Projects, SUYE continuing to feature his work.
CHRIS RWK
Selected solo shows
2025
February- “you won’t always feel this way” Harman Projects NY
May - “steel my heart” WP Fineart Philadelphia, Pa
June - “where has the time gone” Bridge 9 Beverly, MA
August - “here and now” Rossi mission SF
San Francisco, ca
2024
February- “times like this” Exclusive Urban Art Rome, Italy
May - “like an old friend” Dapper fine arts Philadelphia, Pa
June - “outside looking out” rotofugi Chicago, IL
September - “hanging in there” curation 250 Lowell, MA
November - “unburdened” deep space gallery
Jersey city, NJ
2023
February- “promise made, promise kept”
Harman projects NY, NY
August - “where have I seen this before?”
Strange cat toys, Tampa, FL
2022
January - “paintings in the hue of forever” Rotofugi Chicago, Il
April - “pacing the cage” 212arts NY, NY
May - “all metal all heart” Inked gallery NY, NY
July - “same robot different location” Ewkuks Los Angeles, CA
August - “down to the wire” StrangeCat gallery Tampa, Fl
September - “don’t go yet” curation 250 Lowell, Ma
November “builds character” deepspace gallery jersey city, NJ
2021
May - “you are here ❤️“ forge gallery narrowsburg, NY
June - “no rest no rust” 212arts New York, NY
August - “haven’t we met before” Strangecat gallery Tampa, Fl
September - “till the end” Stowe gallery UK
2020
March - “it’s not over yet” 212arts New York, NY
December “holiday super spectacular” 212arts New York, NY
2019
May “greatest hits” 212arts New York, NY
2018
March “I never left you” 212arts New York, NY
Please request information on prior to 2018 shows if needed.
Art residency
July 1999 Vermont studio center
Aug 2000 Vermont studio center
Aug 2001 Vermont studio center
July 2019 Spot San Juan, Puerto Rico
July 2020 “beginning” Chautauqua, NY
May 2022 Spot San Juan, Puerto Rico
May 2025 The London Police | SUYE Gallery Amsterdam
Cofounder / co-creator CollectedCon
Selected Group shows 2022-2025
“wet paint Atlanta” ABV gallery
“on the road” 212arts “savage” Deepspace gallery
“Emerging to established” Krause gallery
“Playlist” rotofugi
“Toys” &gallery
“One night stand” UVD Gallery
“One by one” abv gallery
Selected Publications:
UP magazine
SOLD magazine
Day in the lyfe
SOMA magazine
Street Art NYC
Cheerup official
Street Art New York
Itzastickup
Graffiti 365
Selected Projects:
World Trade Center
Spotify
Doc Marten
Progressive
POW WOW Worcester
Wallworks 2
Citizen M hotels
Art installation Shibuya station Tokyo, Japan
Highwood mural festival Highwood Illinois
Mural in Markham Toronto Canada
Mural in Metuchen NJ
Statue installation in Highwood Illinois
Selected Media:
Stick to it film by Juxtapoz
Blackbook Diaries: episode 1
Sprayin’ Series: episode 2
