While working on a painting over weeks, sometimes months, I am engaged by a paradox: free-fall invention must be met by a careful, sometimes ruthless paring of shapes, forms, patterns. It is not uncommon for an entire painting to disappear. The finished work may not resemble the original at all, yet is imbued with its history and could not have existed without it. I am sustained throughout by the surprise of seeing one element come into play as others are suppressed. The process is spontaneous. I have enjoyed a playful approach with my new paintings, where I allow my brush to explore the endless possibilities of invention.
Born in 1978, Fiona Ackerman grew up in Montreal. She studied art at Concordia University and graduated from The Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design with a BFA in 2002. She has gallery representation in Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary and by the Soho Myriad in Atlanta Georgia and Los Angeles California. She received an honorable mention for the Kingston Prize for Canadian Portraiture in 2009, and was included in Carte Blanche 2: Painting, a survey and showcase of the current state of painting in Canada (published by The Magenta Foundation, fall 2008). She lives in Vancouver, BC.
Press:
The Globe and Mail
Education:
2002 BFA, Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, Visual Arts, Vancouver
2002 2-week Painting Class, Tabarca, Spain
1998-2000 Concordia University, Painting and Drawing, Montreal
1998 2-week Painting Class, Donoratico, Italy
1998 DEC Creative Arts, Dawson College, Creative Arts, Montreal
1997 2-week Painting Class, Donoratico, Italy
1995 Diploma, F.A.C.E. School (Fine Arts Core Education), Montreal
Exhibitions:
2011 “Celebratory Gunfire", Herringer Kiss Gallery, Calgary, AB
2010 “Clearly Seen.” On the Rise Artist Collective, Vancouver BC, (2 person)
2010 “Gold.”, Diane Farris Gallery, Vancouver BC (group)
2009 “Kingston Prize for Canadian Portraiture”, Kingston, Ont., Toronto Ont., Wolfville NS, Calgary AB (group)
2009 “A Harlequin Escapade.” Diane Farris Gallery, Vancouver BC(solo show)
2009 “The Artist Project Toronto,” The Liberty Grand, Toronto Ont. (art fair)
2008 “Reminiscence.” View Art Gallery, Victoria BC (solo show)
2008 “July Exhibit.” Diane Farris Gallery, Vancouver BC (group)
2008 “Group Show.” View Art Gallery, Victoria BC (group show)
2008 “The Artist Project Toronto.” The Liberty Grand, Toronto Ont (art fair)
2007 “Halcyon Days.” Diane Farris Gallery, Vancouver BC (group show)
2007 “Portrayal.” Diane Farris Gallery, Vancouver BC (group show)
2006 “Paint” Galerie Soleil, Montreal Que. (solo show)
2006 “Les Femmeuses”. Pratt & Whitney, Longueuil Que. (juried exhibition)
2005 “Heavy Sky Over Surabaya: Paintings by Fiona Ackerman & Gregor Hiltner”, Galerie Jurgen Kaspar, Nuremberg, Germany (2 person show)
2005 “Flip the Page: Paintings by Fiona Ackerman & Nadia Moss.” Antisocial Gallery, Vancouver BC (2 person show)
2005 “Painting on the Edge.” Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Vancouver BC (juried competition)
2002 “Couleurs des Fetes.” Galerie Abadie, Avignon, France (group show)
Collections:
Bankhaus Bauer HT, Stuttgart Germany
Publications:
2009, Smith, Janet, “Art is in the right place at the Eastside Culture Crawl”. The Georgia Straight, November 19- 26
2008, Nelson, Kevin, “The Abstract Art of Reminiscence” Monday Magazine, Oct 29
2008, Plunkett, Shelagh, “In A Garden,” EnRoute Magazine, March 2005, Zachoe, Bernd, “2 Facetten der Verwandtschaft,” Nurnberger Nachrichten, November 24
2005, Schmoldt, Jochen, “Kunst aus Kanada: Fiona Ackermans Bilder,” Plarrer Magazine, December
2004, Cordon, Elaine, “Artists Get Inspired when Cultures Collide.” Westender Magazine, July 8-14
2004, Hindle, Alan, “21 Artist Pile-Up: Collision
2004,” Terminal City, July 9-15
2003, Frances Hill, Mary, “Collision Vision Unites Artists on Wood Work.” Westender Magazine, August 14-20
Internet Publications:
2010, www.booooooom.com
2009, Landry, Mike. "A Harlequin Escapade" Things of Desire, Vol 1, number 35, May 14 - 20
Awards:
2009, Honorable Mention, Kinston Prize Portrait Competition, Kingston Arts Council
2008, Chosen for “Carte Blanche, Vol. 2 – Painting.” The Magenta Foundation
Other:
2009 “Art for Life Preview Exhibition & Live Auction” Elliott Louis Gallery & Rocky Mountain Station, Vancouver BC (group + catalogue)
2007 “Art for Life Preview Exhibition & Live Auction” 4 Seasons Hotel, Vancouver BC (group + catalogue)
2004, “Collision
2004.” A collaborative project and exhibition conceived and organized by Fiona Ackerman including 21 Vancouver artists. Interurban Gallery, Vancouver BC
2004, Commissioned public mural, City of Vancouver, Carroll Street Greenway Project. Pigeon Park, 1 West Hastings St, Vancouver BC 2003, “Collision
2003.” A collaborative project and exhibition conceived and organized by Fiona Ackerman including 23 Vancouver artists. Interurban Gallery, Vancouver BC
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| "Mr. Mariani" Acrylic on Canvas 30" x 30" CDN 1,900 Unframed |
"The Heart of the City" Acrylic and Spraypaint on Canvas 154" x 54" CDN 11,500 Unframed |
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| "Bonfire" Acrylic on Canvas 36" x 36" CDN 2,300 Unframed |
"I Love You" Acrylic and Spraypaint on Canvas 48" x 48" CDN 3,700 Unframed |
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| "The Ice Storm" Acrylic on Canvas 36" x 48" Sold |
"A Harlequin Escapade" Acrylic on Canvas 48" x 72" CDN 5,500 Unframed |
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| "Marginal Space" Acrylic on Canvas 36" x 72" CDN 4,200 Unframed |
"Circus" Oil on Canvas 36" x 36" CDN 2,300 Unframed |
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| "A Philosophical Maybe" Acrylic on Canvas 48" x 63" CDN 4,900 Unframed |
"The Original Analog Sound Wave" Acrylic on Canvas 36" x 72" Sold |
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| "Dry Heat" Acrylic on Canvas 34" x 60" CDN 3,400 Unframed |
"XO" Acrylic on Canvas 36" x 132" CDN 6,600 Unframed |
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| "Commotion by Ocean" Acrylic on Canvas 36" x 72" Sold |
Hot Water" 2009 Acrylic on Canvas 48" x 36" Sold |
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| Lemon Cello" 2009 Acrylic on Canvas 36" x 36" CDN 2,200 Unframed |
"A Clean Well Lighted Place" 2010 Acrylic on Canvas 75" x 75" CDN 7,000 Unframed |
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| "Tangled Dreams" 2008 Acrylic on Canvas 36" x 48" SOLD |
"Washed Up on Soda Beach" 2008 Acrylic on Canvas 36" x 48" CDN 2,600 Unframed |
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| "Wildfire" 2009 Acrylic on canvas 36" x 36" Sold |
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| © Herringer Kiss Gallery |
