Prepare to be dazzled by the first monograph celebrating the work of Chris Levine, one of the most groundbreaking artists of our time. Radiating a luminous energy, Levine’s works reframe the boundaries of traditional portraiture. Inner Light: The Portraiture of Chris Levine by Helen Chislett spotlights Levine’s most well-known works in a single volume, from Lightness of Being, the now-iconic portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with her eyes closed, to portraits of Grace Jones, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, the Dalai Lama, Sir Elton John and other notable figures. An additional volume contains a complete biography of the artist and delves deeper into his large-scale installations, light sculptures, public art and commercial design.
Sitters
The first monograph dedicated to the artist – Inner Light: The Portraiture of Chris Levine, published by Prestel on October 7th, provides an exclusive look at Levine’s creative process, his instantly recognisable portraits, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes from his time with his sitters.
Each chapter offers intimate insights into Levine’s creative process and the meticulous development of his portraits, illuminating his fascination with the relationship between light, technology and human connection. Exclusive behind-the-scenes anecdotes reveal how Levine carefully creates a meditative environment for his sitters, with this contemplative stillness reflected in his portraits.
When Levine first took the call asking if he were interested in taking a portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II, he thought it was a friend pulling his leg. Although he had exhibited holographic portraits of Seal and Oasis at his Hypervisual and Hypervisual 1.2 shows, thoughts of formal portraiture were very far from his mind: “‘”I am a light artist and my portraits to date had all been about exploring what light could bring to portraiture” he says in Inner Light. “I had no intention of pursuing portraits in a formal way, but that one call changed my life.’
Interplay
Perfect for collectors, art aficionados and those intrigued by the interplay of art and technology, this vibrantly designed and exquisitely produced monograph features screen-printed title and neon endpapers. The portraiture monograph is accompanied by an exclusive second volume, Chris Levine: Light, available in a special edition boxed set in a stunning slipcase with a foreword by Dylan Jones OBE.
Inner Light: The Portraiture of Chris Levine showcases the artist’s inimitable ability to capture not only his subjects’ physical likeness but also their inner presence, using light as a medium to create works that feel alive and timeless.
Helen Chislett’s writing on arts and design has appeared in numerous national newspapers and magazines over the last thirty years. She is the author of over twenty books, including Craft Britain, Modern English Interiors, and Star Pieces.
Inner Light: The Portraiture of Chris Levine
Helen Chislett
Foreword by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE
Published by Prestel
7th October 2025
Hardcover, 120 pages, 110 illustrations
25 x 30 cm / 10 x 11 ¾ in.
ISBN: 978-3-7913-7795-7
£40 / US $55 / Can. $73
Chris Levine: Light
Special edition
Two hardcover books in slipcase, 344 pages, 330 illustrations
25 x 30 cm / 10 x 11 ¾ in.
ISBN: 978-3-7913-7794-0
£100 / US $130 / Can. $170
