Pixelations, 2017-2022

I’ve been using and appropriating various computer graphics aesthetics over the years: geometries,  vector graphics, glitches — and pixelations.

Pixelated works differ from the rest of my oeuvre because I create them entirely digitally. I hand-pixelate each pixel; there is no automation in the process.

I choose a working size (eg. 100 x 66 pixels), which sets the stage for the visual abstraction/the pixel size as experienced in the final work. The works exist both virtually and physically; for the latter, they are printed as if they were photographs. With my PhD thesis focusing on “Painting and Digital Technologies”, I eventually also wanted to embrace the old-school 80ies aesthetics of pixel-based visualities, but also aimed to expand them into HiBit territory. I fluctuate between the two.

Political Works

I started pixelating world events in 2017. It is weird and uncomfortable to do this: who am I to depict things that are not my experience. It feels transgressive, which isn’t my intention.


These are political, yet highly personal works. They show what I care about; there’s nothing that isn’t political, and nothing that isn’t personal.

In addition, this enables me to have a voice in a world that feels to not offer most people such a thing; I stick to the original colors and composition, but still aim to add a relevant layer of self, with the goal to add meaning — of which I’m not  sure whether that’s possible.

Candle Light Vigil for George Floyd, Houston
(Original photo by Eric Gay)
200 x 285 px
Pixelation by Christian Bazant-Hegemark, 2020

A Camouflaged Federal Agent, Portland
(Original photo by Nathan Howard)
113 x 200 px
Pixelation by Christian Bazant-Hegemark, 2020

American Flag
(Original photo by Nathan Howard)
113 x 200 px
Pixelation by Christian Bazant-Hegemark, 2020

Calais (Original photo by unknown)
100 x 66 px
Pixelation by Christian Bazant-Hegemark, 2017

Standing Rock (Original photo by Ryan Vizzions)
1024 x 683 px
Pixelation by Christian Bazant-Hegemark, 2017

Kabul (Original photo by Massoud Hossaini)
990 x 747 px
Pixelation by Christian Bazant-Hegemark, 2017

Watertown (Original photo by unknown photographer)
174 x 97 px
Pixelation by Christian Bazant-Hegemark, 2017

Lesbos, 2017 | manual pixelation
Monrovia, 2017 | manual pixelation
Monrovia, 2017 | manual pixelation
Venezuela, 2017 | manual pixelation
Budapest, 2017 | manual pixelation (Original photo by Zsolt Szigetváry)
Kabul, 2017 | manual pixelation

Diary Works

I create pixelations of personal moments; this part of my work is like a diary.

I can't save you but I can love you., 2020
113 x 200 px (115 x 235 cm)
Original photo and pixelation by Christian Bazant-Hegemark, 2020

Heap and Stone, 2020
150 x 200 px
Original photo and pixelation by Christian Bazant-Hegemark

Trust, 2022
130 x 200 px
Calm, 2022
200 x 150 px
Bad Growth, 2022
200 x 113 px
I am not my feelings. I have feelings, 2022
113 x 200 px
That Street, 2022
113 x 200 px
Ritual, 2022
113 x 200 px
That Space Between, 2022
113 x 200 px
Empty Studio, 2022
113 x 200 px
The Scholar
134 x 200 px
Original photo and pixelation by Christian Bazant-Hegemark, 2020

Nostalgia
150 x 200 px
Original photo and pixelation by Christian Bazant-Hegemark

Studio View Christian Bazant-Hegemark, 2020