Christopher Boffoli
"As a child you live in an adult world that is out of scale with your body and proportions. You constantly exercise your imagination around a world of toys that are further out of scale. I was an avid collector of Matchbox cars, a model railroader, and a builder of model cars, ships & airplanes, and also girder and panel sets. I was fascinated with tiny, meticulously detailed things."
- Christopher Boffoli
click to enlarge and show image details
Christopher Boffoli, "Cookie Dunkers,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 24 inches (also available: 18 x 18, 303 x 30, 42 x 42)
Christopher Boffoli, "Ranch Water,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 30 x 30 inches (also available: 18 x 18, 24 x 24, 42 x 42)
Christopher Boffoli, "Mint Julip,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 30 x 30 inches (also available: 18 x 18, 24 x 24, 42 x 42)
Christopher Boffoli, "Olive Tire Changers,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches (also available: 12 x 18, 30 x 40, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Cupcake Couple,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches (also available: 12 x 18, 30 x 40, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
click to enlarge and show image details
Christopher Boffoli, "Ice Cream Climber,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 36 x 24 inches (also available: 18 x 12, 48 x 32)
Christopher Boffoli, "Doughnut Dunkers,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 24 inches (also available: 18 x 18, 30 x 30, 42 x 42)
Christopher Boffoli, "Champagne Swan Dive,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 36 x 24 inches (also available: 18 x 12, 48 x 32)
click to enlarge and show image details
Christopher Boffoli, "Macaron Climbers,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 36 x 24 inches (also available: 18 x 12, 48 x 32)
Christopher Boffoli, "Advanced Yoga,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 30 x 40 inches (also available: 12 x 18, 24 x 36, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Coffee Ballet," acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 36 x 36 inches (various sizes available)
Christopher Boffoli, "Red Wine Hanger,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Rosé Rafter,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 36 x 24 inches (also available: 18 x 12, 48 x 32)
Christopher Boffoli, "Swirl Pop Climbers,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 32 x 48 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 24 x 36, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Ice Cream Lumberjacks,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "XO Cupcake,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Heartbox Love,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Coconut Snowball Fight,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 12 x 18 inches, (also available: 24 x 36, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Ice Cream Snowboarder,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 48 x 32 inches (also available: 18 x 12, 36 x 24)
click to enlarge and show image details
Christopher Boffoli, "Viogner Paddleboarder,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 48 x 32 inches (also available: 18 x 12, 36 x 24)
Christopher Boffoli, "Zoo Zoom," acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 36 x 36 inches (various sizes available)
Christopher Boffoli, "Popsicle Bottle Rocket"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 36 x 24 inches (also available: 18 x 12, 48 x 32)
Christopher Boffoli, "Rocket Pops,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Oktoberfest,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Soft Serve Skier,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Champagne Scuba,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Lifesaver Lay Out," acrylic-dibond mounted photograph
30 x 40 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 24 x 36, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Tomato Organizers,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "XO,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Gumball Harvesters,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 36 x 24 inches
(also available: 18 x 12, 48 x 32)
Christopher Boffoli, "Jackson at Breakfast,"acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 36 x 24 inches
(also available: 18 x 12, 48 x 32)
Christopher Boffoli, "Pancake Production,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
click to enlarge and show image details
Christopher Boffoli, "Martini Divers,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 32 x 48 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 24 x 36, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Cabernet Diver,"acrylic-dibond mounted photograph,36 x 24 inches (18 x 12, 48 x 32)
Christopher Boffoli, "Wine Seller," acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 36 x 24 inches (18 x 12, 48 x 32)
Christopher Boffoli, "Garnish Inspector,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Iwo Cupcake,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Doughnut Icers,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Doughnut Snowblower," acrylic-dibond mounted photograph
30 x 40 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 24 x 36, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Sugar Skiers,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Sundae Skiers,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Champagne Scuba," acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 36 x 24 inches
(also available: 18 x 12, 48 x 32)
Christopher Boffoli, "Champagne Blastoff,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 36 x 24 inches (also available: 18 x 12, 48 x 32)
Christopher Boffoli, "Soft Serve Skier,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 36 x 24 inches (also available: 18 x 12, 48 x 32)
Christopher Boffoli, "Pancake Production,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 36 x 24 inches (also available: 18 x 12, 48 x 32)
Christopher Boffoli, "Bagel Fishermen,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Caramel Salt Harvesters,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 12 x 18 inches, (also available: 24 x 36)
Christopher Boffoli, "Cookie Climbers,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Heart Cookie Hot Tubs,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
click to enlarge and show image details
Christopher Boffoli, "Strawberry Seed Poachers,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 12 x 18 inches, (also available: 24 x 36, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Lime Crane Operators," acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 36 x 24 inches
(also available: 18 x 12, 48 x 32)
Christopher Boffoli, "Bourbon Technicians," acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 36 x 24 inches
(also available: 18 x 12, 48 x 32)
Christopher Boffoli, "Deep Bottle Divers,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 32 x 48 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 24 x 36, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Coffee Sail,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Sugar Zen Garden,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Zesty Mower,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Cherry Acrobat,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Chardonnay Climbers,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Martini Divers," acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 36 x 24 inches
(also available: 18 x 12, 48 x 32)
Christopher Boffoli, "October Fest,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 36 x 24 inches (also available: 18 x 12, 48 x 32)
Christopher Boffoli, "Bikini Peel,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 12 x 18 inches, (also available: 24 x 36, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Caramel Apple Incident,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Cocktail Scuba,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Champagne Openers,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Macaron Production Team,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 12 x 18 inches, (also available: 24 x 36, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
click to enlarge and show image details
Christopher Boffoli, "Grape Harvesters,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 12 x 18 inches, (also available: 24 x 36, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Banana Racers,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 12 x 18 inches, (also available: 24 x 36, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Gelato Dollop Sunbathers,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 12 x 18 inches, (also available: 24 x 36, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Gumdrop Ballonist,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 24 x 36 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 32 x 48, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Pepper Vespas,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 32 x 48 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 24 x 36, 48 x 72)
Christopher Boffoli, "Consent is Romantic,"
acrylic-dibond mounted photograph, 32 x 48 inches, (also available: 12 x 18, 24 x 36, 48 x 72)
installation shots
click to enlarge and show image details
ARTIST STATEMENT
"The genesis of my Big Appetites series of fine art photographs came from much of the media I was exposed to as a child. There were so many films and television shows that exploited both the dramatic and comedy potential of a juxtaposition of different scales: tiny people in a normal-sized world. It is a surprisingly common cultural theme going back all the way to Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels in the 18th century.
When I began shooting some of the very earliest images in this series, food was a conscious choice as one of the components of the work because it is very beautiful – in terms of texture and color – especially when shot with available light and macro lenses. Combining food and toys makes the work instantly accessible to virtually everyone. Regardless of language, culture, and social status, almost everyone can identify with toys from their childhood.
Whether you eat with a fork, chopsticks, or your hands, everyone understands food. Sitting down to a meal makes us feel most human. The sensual experience of eating accesses primal instincts that stretch back to the earliest days of our evolution. Whether we are reflecting on the comfort food of childhood, celebrating food’s tremendous diversity, or obsessing over calories and nutrition, cuisine is one of those rare topics that most people can speak about with authority and yet largely without controversy. So the choice of food as a backdrop for my Big Appetites series was certainly calculated. It is rich subject matter for artwork." - Christopher Boffoli
Christopher Boffoli's Work Process
"The set-ups come from a very natural place. I'll usually start with the food, observing what's in season at the farmers market, considering what I've shot before. Or I think about iconic American foods, like Oreo cookies or Twinkies, and how an image of those things might tap into someone's early memory. I also consider how I can populate those images with figures with a context that makes sense. By now I have quite a little community of figures that I use, and I keep adding to the arsenal all the time. So that's a big factor: finding a clever match for what I want to shoot. These images look simple but can be tedious to set-up. I'll often try to do multiple set-ups over a few hours. Some go quickly. Others take longer. I'll work out lighting and depth-of-field.
There is a certain corner of my studio that I tend to use for this project. We have a lot of overcast days here in Seattle, so it has marvelous, diffused light. I try to use available light as much as possible, though if I'm still working in winter as the evening approaches, I'll very rarely set up a couple of off-camera lamps to add light. Sometimes a set-up just doesn't work the way I had hoped, and I'll change the orientation of the background and/or the figures.
The figures in this work are all hand-painted and their meticulous detail is a big part of why the images work. On occasion I'll re-paint or modify figures to suit my purposes. They’re designed to be glued down so they don't stand on their own. The trick is getting them arranged. A lot of food is soft, so I can use a toothpick to make a small hole into which I can insert one of the feet. Other times I use agave nectar or a proprietary putty to get the feet to stand on hard surfaces. Most of the process is enjoyable, from getting the idea, or seeing a food product that would make a good backdrop, to actually setting it up in my studio and shooting it while I'm rocking out to music.
Other than some light and color adjustment, the images are not heavily manipulated with image processing software. The food I use is even totally real. Especially with commercial food photography there is a lot of cheating, for instance, using white glue in place of milk or glass cubes instead of ice. But I don't really need to cheat with the food either. It is not always something you'd want to eat at the end of the shoot. But it is real." - Christopher Boffoli