Chris Sainato (b. 1992) is a contemporary American artist, living in New York City who is celebrated for his bold use of collage and mixed media. Originally from Albany, NY, he studied Fine Art at Union College in Schenectady before relocating to Stamford, CT in 2014 to begin a career designing graphics for Vineyard Vines.

While building a successful career in design, Chris continued developing his artistic voice—experimenting with materials, styles, and techniques. His work spans a variety of themes but is unified by a distinct collage-based approach. By incorporating vintage newsprint into his collage work, Chris breathes new life into fragments of American history. These original clippings—often decades old—anchor his contemporary compositions in real moments from the past, inviting viewers to reflect on how history repeats, evolves, or is reinterpreted over time. The aged textures and headlines serve not only as visual elements but also as cultural artifacts, layering his work with meaning and a sense of time travel that connects the present to a richly complex past.

Chris’s work has found its way into the homes of collectors including Dave Portnoy (Barstool Sports), Shep and Ian Murray (Vineyard Vines), NHL player Daniel Carr, and journalist Jake Lahut (Business Insider). His large-scale work is on permanent display at Messa Rink at Union College.

In 2021, Chris partnered with CLEAR to create a custom sculpture for the Cow Parade in Manhattan, benefiting God’s Love We Deliver. His painted cow remains on public view at Hudson Yards in New York City. Chris was commissioned in 2022 by Half Full Brewery to apply his unique artwork to help rebrand their fridge with bright colorful designs. Most recently, Chris was inducted into the Albany Academy Hall of Fame for the Arts in 2025.