Portrait of Chris Nickel
On December 8th, 2024, Chris Nickel passed away peacefully with family by his side and surrounded by love. He had fought bravely for the past four years against an unrelenting cancer that ultimately took his life. He was buried under a canopy of two beautiful oaks with the sun shining down on him in Fernwood Cemetery.
Chris was an incredible person who impacted so many people. For some a loyal friend and family member, for others an inspirational teacher and dedicated artist. To his family he was a loving husband, best friend, walking encyclopedia, expert home builder, innovative chef, and most importantly an amazing father. His presence is missed in every part of his family’s day.
Chris received his BFA from California College of the Arts in 2001 and his MFA from Stanford University in 2015. Upon graduating from Stanford University he was awarded the Headlands MFA Fellowship Residency from 2015-16 and the Residency at Cité Internationale Des Arts in Paris, France. From 2016-18 he was Co-Director and Founder of Black Crown Gallery in Oakland, CA. Chris was passionate about art and pedagogy and continued teaching photography after graduate school at University of California in Davis, Diablo Valley College, Ohlone College, Oakland School of the Arts, and Berkeley City College.
Chris’ art work explored how contemporary information and communications technologies were made possible through physical infrastructure. Chris stated “I wonder about the Internet and cell phone networks—not what happens on the screens of our devices, but how they connect to one another. I am searching for the pathways through which information travels, for the forms and structures that enable us to connect across the globe at near instantaneous speed.”
A celebration of his life will be held on March 22, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Chris’ honor to the East Bay Regional Parks Foundation. Between Chris’ treatments he became an avid hiker in the East Bay Hills. It helped him to heal from the procedures, build up his strength to withstand each barrage of treatments and ultimately to find peace with the inevitable.
Please contact Chris’ wife Chrissy Cano if you wish to attend the memorial: chrissyacano [at] gmail.com (chrissyacano[at]gmail[dot]com)
