Chris Tap Dutch, b. 1973

Chris Tap (1973, Amsterdam) studied economics and cultural anthropology before becoming a full-time sculptor. He developed his passion as a self-taught artist, but as the son of sculptor Wim Tap (1938), the creative process was instilled in him from an early age. However, their styles could not be more different: where his father seeks the essence of form through intuitive, abstract stone sculpture, Chris Tap creates highly realistic animal sculptures, driven by close anatomical observation and precision. 

Chris was taken by his father to Artis Zoo, where he made his first life-size predators. In addition to studying anatomy, he spent a lot of time in zoos, particularly Artis. Here he was given the opportunity to study, measure, touch and photograph a jaguar that was being anaesthetised from very close up. Thanks to his thorough knowledge of animal anatomy, Tap creates impressions of nature that are perfected down to the last detail. 

Tap’s work centres on powerful animals such as panthers, lions, gorillas, bulls and birds of prey. Executed primarily in bronze or marble composite, his sculptures are characterised by a striking naturalism combined with a strong sense of presence and tension. Rather than idealising his subjects, Tap captures animals in moments of alertness, rest or contained strength, allowing their physical power and individuality to emerge naturally. Great attention is given to musculature, posture and surface detail, resulting in sculptures that feel both monumental and alive. By presenting his subjects at true scale, he invites a direct, almost confrontational encounter between viewer and animal.

Chris Tap’s work has been exhibited widely in galleries and sculpture parks and is held in numerous private and public collections, he has created sculptures commissioned by UEFA, Puma, Cartier and Artis, among others.