Chris Van Doren is an artist of Niuean, Samoan and Dutch descent. With a background in panel beating, Van Doren uses his trade-taught skills in his multi-disciplinary sculptural practice, incorporating mediums such as copper, stainless steel, wood and stone. He holds vast knowledge and skill for sculpting contemporary forms in large and small-scale sculptures that explore his Pacific heritage and traditional forms, motifs and growing up in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Before becoming a full-time artist Chris worked as a panel beater - this experience informed his understanding of how to shape, form and engineer his sculptural mediums. Chris has also worked in the outdoor industry and eventually connected with the Circus in Pennsylvania New York, USA, teaching children circus acts, this experience honed his creativity even more. He has spent the last decade working as a full-time Artist in Auckland and has his studio home base at the Pacifica Arts Centre in Henderson.