CHRISTIAN THEE is regarded as one of today’s leading practitioners of trompe l’oeil painting, his unique style being a direct and purposeful extension of his work as a scenic designer for the theater and his hobby of magic (sleight of hand), and the actual design of “illusions”. His distinctive creative style incorporates these elements in their various forms, and the results are often surprising, sometimes astounding, and always unique.

For the artist, a painting provides an opportunity for a dialogue with the viewer, first luring him into the acceptance of the “reality” before him and then, as an ill-defined sense of the deception dawns, impelling a closer look, and finally an exclamation of surprise. The artist’s virtuosity demonstrated, the encounter often continues as symbolic, biographical and even political allusions wait to be deciphered by the viewer.

Mr. Thee has had numerous one-man shows throughout the country, and the main body of his extensive work can be found in private, corporate and museum collections. In 1981 he had the honor of being commissioned to paint the portrait of Prince Andrew of England, on the occasion of the prince’s twenty-first birthday. Mr. Thee subsequently attended the royal birthday party at Windsor Castle and was presented to HRH Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. In 2004 Mr. Thee was awarded the Elizabeth O’Neil Verner Award by the Governor of the State of South Carolina for Individual Artist, the highest recognition given to an artist in South Carolina.