Photo Credit: Shamas Malik

Blake Senini is one of Alberta’s most highly regarded sculptors. Blake was born in 1954 on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Victoria in Sculpture in 1975 and his Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Calgary in 1981. Blake is the recipient of numerous awards and has exhibited widely, both nationally and internationally, for over 40 years. Blake lives and works in Calgary, Alberta and is a Professor Emeritus of the Sculpture Department at the Alberta College of Art and Design.

 

For Gods Only...

 

I am, at this point, just following somewhere that the work seems to direct me, and it is a place, in terms of Sculpture or Art, that I desire to be...I just let work go

where it wants to...and the more I get into these things, the more they take me into

ideas and areas unknown previously...all I have to do is follow, and believe that where

they are going is interesting ...funny thing is, they always surprise me...and the more I

let them have their way... the more they talk back to me, and eventually show me the path...I just have to remember to get out of the way.

There you have

it ...that is my art.

 

Jan. 01 / 2021

​

Artist Statement

 

A stream of smoke from the tip of a cigarette

a stain left on a countertop from a cup of coffee in the morning

a fountain of spirits pouring from a bottle in the evening

a shadow faithfully following someone or something through a field

a fleeting sound that passes by undecipherable to all ears

a mysterious light flickering over the water

a lost forgotten object hiding under a table somewhere

a past memory that struggles to be reborn

a nervous bird on the branch of a tree in the wind

a photograph from the past that remains unknown

a loved one that can still remember the words to that song

a longing to believe in something larger than this

a last breath of life from a long time friend

 

these are some of the things that interest me …at this moment

 

Jan. 30 / 2021

​

 

Born:  1954, Nanaimo, British Columbia

​

EDUCATION

1981                     MFA (Honors) Sculpture

                              The University of Calgary, Alberta

1976                     B.C. Teachers Certification, University of Victoria, British Columbia

1975                     BFA (Honors) Sculpture

                              University of Victoria, B.C.

1971-73                Studied Ceramics and Sculpture,

                              Malaspina College, Nanaimo, B.C.

​

AWARDS 

2004                 The Alberta Foundation for the Arts - Project Grant            

2003                 The Alberta Foundation for the Arts - Project Grant

2002                 ACAD Professional Development  -  Project Grant

2000                 The Alberta Foundation for the Arts - Project Grant

1998                The Alberta Foundation for the Arts - Project Grant

1994                The Alberta Foundation for the Arts - Project Grant

1993                Plus 15 Sculpture Competition, City of Calgary

1989                Canada Council - Arts Grant B

1987                Municipal Plaza Sculpture Competition (second stage), Calgary

1984                Cash Award, Elements of Earth, Juried Exhibition, Banff

1981                Alberta Government Graduate Scholarship

1980-81          Graduate Teaching Assistantship, The University of Calgary

1980                Thesis Research Grant, The University of Calgary

                         Dean’s Special Scholarship, The University of Calgary

1979                Graduate Scholarship Award, The University of Calgary

1975                Arthur S. Deny Scholarship, University of Victoria

                         President’s Scholarship, University of Victoria

                         Scholastic Merit Award, University of Victoria

                         Sculpture Competition, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, (first prize)

                        

COLLECTIONS

Aimco ( Edmonton)

Cenovus Energy Inc. Calgary

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Outdoor Public Art Commission for the City of    Medicine Hat.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canada

Governor General of Canada, Art Collection, Rideau Hall, Ottawa.

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts, / Centennial Collection 2006

Grant MacEwan College, Edmonton 

British Petroleum, Calgary                                               

Calgary Civic Art Collection                              

MacLeod Dixon, Calgary                              

Glenbow Museum, Permanent Collection Calgary

Canada Council Art Bank

Arcis Energy, Calgary

Nickle Arts Museum, Permanent Collection , Calgary

University of Victoria, Permanent Collection, Victoria , B.C.

The Estate Collection, Calgary

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Permanent Collection

The Art Gallery of Alberta, Permanent Collection

Talisman Inc. Calgary

Hyatt Regency Hotel Group Art Collection / Miami, Florida

Waldorf Astoria Hotel Art Collection / Beijing,ChinaThe Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Art Acquisition for Permanent  Collection

The Glencoe Club Permanent Collection, Calgary

Hines Corporation (One Park Central)

Calgary Exhibition & Stampede (BMO Centre)

Private Collections

​

COMMISSIONS

2020                The Drama Queen, Public Outdoor Sculpture Commission, Hines Calgary                           Corporation, Park Central, Calgary, Alberta

2015-2020      Various Private Commissions, Calgary

2013                 Private Commission for residence in Mt. Royal, Calgary, in co-ordination                                    with Douglas Cridland Interior Design

2011                Public Outdoor Commission, Turn Turn Turn ( A Resting Place ), for the                               Esplanade Arts Center, Medicine Hat, in co-ordination with The Alberta                               Foundation For The Arts

1993                Plus 15 Sculpture Competition, City of Calgary

1987                Municipal Plaza Sculpture Competition (second stage), Calgary

 

ART FAIRS

 2007              Art La (Los Angeles Art Fair ) Los Angeles Convention Center

​

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2022             “13 Poems”, Herringer Kiss Gallery, Calgary, AB

2019              ‘Screen’,  A Project by Kyle Marks, performance at Two House Brewery,                                 Calgary.

2019              ‘Dear Nevermore:’, Herringer Kiss Gallery, Calgary

2013              `This History Haunts Me`, SQ Commons /Skew Gallery/ Eighth Ave. Place

2009             ` We Are All In The Same Air`, Skew Gallery, Calgary.

2007              `After Lawren `, Skew Gallery , Calgary

 2006              Selected Works, Summit Gallery, Banff

2005             `A Foreign Film `, Skew Gallery, Calgary 

2002              `A Month After Words`, The Art Gallery of Calgary

2000              `Ether`, Paul Kuhn Fine Arts, Calgary

1998             ` The Without`, Paul Kuhn Fine Arts, Calgary

1996              ` Simone`, MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina, Saskatchewan

1995             `Natura Morta`, Stride Gallery, Calgary

1994                `Natura Morta`, Galerie Optica, Montréal, Quebec

1993                `Ashes to Ashes`, Eau Claire Centre, Calgary

1991                `Lure`, Paul Kuhn Fine Arts, Calgary

1989                `Recent Works`, Paul Kuhn Fine Arts, Calgary

1988                `Recent Works`,  Galerie Franklin Silverstone, Montreal, Quebec

1987                `Sculpture`, Southern Alberta Art Gallery, Lethbridge

1986                `In Sweet and Vicious Memory` , Off  Centre Centre, Calgary

 1985               `New Sculpture,` Canadian Art Gallery , Calgary

 

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2022.               Killing Me Softly, Group Exhibition, Ribtor.Warehouse Space, a KyleMarks                                 Project, Calgary AB

2021                HK Summer Group Exhibition 2021, Herringer Kiss Gallery, Calgary, AB

                         Gallery2021 SHAPING CALGARY, Herringer Kiss Gallery, Calgary, AB

2020                HK Winter 2020 Group Show, Herringer Kiss Gallery, Calgary, AB

                         InIsolation ( an online exhibition ), Herringer Kiss Gallery

                         Viral ( an online exhibition ),  Kyle Marks Projects, KyleMarksyyc ) ,                                         Calgary. 

2019                BLACK – A Group Show, Herringer Kiss Gallery, Calgary

2018                Herringer Kiss Gallery Annual Holiday Salon Wall, Calgary

                         Sampler 2018, Herringer Kiss Gallery, Calgary

2016                Let Us: 2017 Stride Gallery Fundraiser,  Stride Gallery · Calgary

2015                90 x 90: Celebrating Art in Alberta. Art Gallery of Alberta.

2014                Made in Calgary: The 2000s. Glenbow Museum.

                         Made in Calgary: The 1990s.Glenbow Museum.

2013               ‘Made in Calgary : The 1980s.Sept.7,2013 –Jan. 5,2014.Glenbow Museum. 

                         `Made in Alberta` , (Part Two) , MOCA ,Calgary.

                         `Nature /Nurture `, SQ Commons /Skew Gallery at Eighth Avenue Place                                   Calgary.

2012                `We Tell Ourselves Stories`, Nickle Arts Museum, Calgary.

                         Summer Group Exhibition / Skew Gallery

                         ACAD Faculty Exhibition ,Illingworth Kerr Gallery

2011                ACAD Faculty Exhibition ,Illingworth Kerr Gallery

                         Summer Group Exhibition / Skew Gallery

2010                ACAD Faculty Exhibition ,Illingworth Kerr Gallery

2009                 ACAD Faculty Exhibition ,Illingworth Kerr Gallery

2008                Pavilion , Calgary Stampede Society.

                         Faculty Exhibition , Illingworth Kerr Gallery

                         Centennial Collection Exhibition, Alberta  Foundation for the Arts Gallery,                           Edmonton                                                

                         Recent Acquisitions to the Collection., Glenbow Museum , Calgary.

2007                Art LA  , Los Angeles Convention Center , Los Angeles

                         Group Show , Summitt Gallery , Banff

2006                Faculty Exhibition : Illingworth Kerr Gallery

                         Building a Collection  : 80 Years at The Edmonton Art Gallery, Edmonton                                                  Art Gallery , Edmonton.

                         Group Show , Summitt Gallery , Banff

2005                Designer`s  Showcase Exhibition , Calgary

2005                Gallery Artists ,  Summitt Gallery , Banff

                         Form – Space - Concept – Metaphor : Contemporary Alberta  Sculpture,                                    Triangle Gallery

                         ACAD Faculty Exhibition , Illingworth Kerr Gallery

2004                 Artrageous 2004 , Alberta College of Art and Design

                         ACAD Faculty Exhibition , Illingworth Kerr Gallery

2003                Selections from the Alberta Art Foundation Permanent Collection 

                         Vertigo Theatre , Calgary

                          Alberta College of Art and Design Faculty Exhibition , Illingworth Kerr                                     Gallery, Calgary

                          Artrageous `2003, Illingworth Kerr Gallery

2002                Selections from the Permanent Collection  , Edmonton Art Gallery

                         Artrageous '2002   , Illingworth Kerr Gallery

2001                `The Alien Project`, Edmonton Art Gallery

2000                `The Alberta Biennial of Contemporary Art 2000`, The Edmonton Art                                                        Gallery  and  Illingworth Kerr Gallery, Calgary

                         `Presence & Sweet Relief`, Alberta Art Foundation (selections from the                                      collection), Edmonton

                         `Silver`, The New Gallery, Calgary

1999                `Studio`, Artweek ’99, Calgary                                                                                                                  

                          `Exquisite Corpse`  ( with Gordon Ferguson and Walter May ),  Stride                                            Gallery , Calgary           

1998                `Distance` (with Chris Cran and Walter May) , Artweek '98, “The Banke”,                                     Calgary

                         `Real Objects`, Edmonton Art Gallery

1997                Celebrating a Legacy, Edmonton Art Gallery

                         Neoteric, Beaver House Gallery, Edmonton

1996                Faculty Exhibition, Illingworth Kerr Gallery, Calgary

                         Gaining Ground, Edmonton Art Gallery

1995                Looking Back II, Southern Alberta Art Gallery, Lethbridge

1994                ACAD Faculty Exhibition, Illingworth Kerr Gallery, Calgary

1993                Group Show, Paul Kuhn Fine Arts Gallery, Calgary

1992                In-Form (with Gordon Ferguson), Art-Evo Gallery, Edmonton

                         Blake Senini / Kevin Kanashiro, Banker's Hall, Calgary

1991                Square Deal Squared, The New Gallery, Calgary

1990                Sculpture '90, Four Alberta Sculptors, Triangle Gallery, Calgary

                         Group Show, Paul Kuhn Fine Arts, Calgary

                         Spun-Out, Paul Kuhn Fine Arts, Calgary

1989                AutoRetrato '89, Art Appreciations Centre, Victoria, B.C.

                         Sculpture By Invitation, Edmonton Art Gallery, Edmonton

                         Links To Reality, Muttart Gallery, Calgary

                         Construction De-Construction, FAB Gallery, University of Alberta ,                                                  Edmonton

1988                ACAD Faculty Exhibition, Alberta College of Art Gallery, Calgary

                         New Sculpture, Paul Kuhn Fine Arts, Calgary

                         Survey Alberta '88, Alberta College of Art Gallery, Calgary

1987                Dreaming Before Nature, (Eight Calgary Artists), Edmonton Art Gallery

                         Gang of Three (New Sculpture from Calgary), Plug-in Inc. and Ace Art,                                               Winnipeg, Manitoba

                         Wall/Space (New Sculpture by Six Calgary Artists), Glenbow Museum,                                         Calgary 

                         Collaboration in Clay, Alberta College of Art Gallery, Calgary                                                                                                                                                                       

1986                Spring Bizarre '86 (with Rita McKeough & Gordon Ferguson),

                         Canadian Art Gallery, Calgary, Alberta

                         A Square Deal, Off Centre Centre Gallery, Calgary

                         Silent Auction, Stride Gallery, Calgary

1985                Second Story Anniversary Exhibition, Second Story Gallery, Calgary

                                Whirl-i-gigs, Alberta College of Art Gallery, Calgary

                         Have You Seen The Mountains?, Canadian Art Gallery, Calgary

                         Five Sculptors from Southern Alberta, Whyte Museum, Banff

                         The First Ten, Off  Centre Centre, Calgary

                         Peace Earth Peace, Off  Centre Centre, Calgary

 

SELECTED BIOGRAPHY

Hildebrand , Carmen   ` In Conversation with Blake Senini) , Interview for Sculpture Pacific magazine. Fall / Winter edition. Pgs. 12 – 16.

Begin, Noel, (video), Blake Senini at Skew Gallery: ` We are all in the Same Air ` exhibition. (2 min. 11 sec.) Jan. 2009.

Tousley, Nancy ,`Sculptures create act of near disappearance ` ,  Senini  works to make art dematerialize` , review of solo exhibition entitled , `We are all in the Same Air` , Skew Gallery ,Calgary Herald ,  Feb.12 /  2009.

Neudorf, Kim, ` Blake Senini` at Skew Gallery`, Shotgun Review.ca, Jan. 31. 2009.

Jeffery, Yvonne, Calgary Herald, Page F5, April 28, 2009.

Lavoilette, Mary Beth and Patricia Ainslie, `Art and Artists of Alberta, `Fifth House Publishers, 2007.

Field. Liz, ` A Floating Feeling `, Senini takes sculpture to another dimension `, The Weal. com. Feb. 08, 2009.

Ed Pa`s Journal ` Art in Calgary`   Feb. 2007 (on –line posting)

Willard, Christopher , `Reflections and Reflecting` ,  Review of `After Lauren` Exhibition by Blake Senini at Skew Gallery , Calgary Herald `Books and The Arts` section , Page C12 Jan. 21, 2007 .

Radio interview for` After Lauren`, CKUA Feb. 2007.

Laviolette, Mary- Beth, An Alberta Art Chronicle, pgs. .216, 232-233, 343, 347 – 349. Altitude Publishing, 2005.

Oak, Arlene, Artichoke Magazine, ` Ornament and Language `, Summer 2005, Volume 17, no.2, pg. 16 – 21.

Naclia , Janet , Blake Senini : A Foreign Film , Canadian Art Magazine , Rewind  Section ,  Summer 2005 issue , Volume 22 , Number 2 , pg. 95.

Gogarty, Amy, Artichoke Magazine, Review of `A Foreign Film`, `One Month of Decoration and Ornament`, Summer 2005, Volume 17 no. 2, pg. 13-15.

Shaw Cable, Television Interview of Blake Senini and `A Foreign Film`  Jan. 10th / 2005.

Mabie , Don , `This is not a Mission Bell ` , essay written to accompany the exhibition,      `A Foreign Film`,  Skew Gallery , Calgary ,  Jan. 2005.

Naclia , Janet , “ Elusive Tales “ , Calgary Herald , ( `Books and the Arts` Section ) ,     Feb. 5, 2005, Sec. G , pg. 1 & 2 .

Bloom, Bernard, "Alberta Biennial of Contemporary Art", Artichoke Magazine, Vol. 13 No. 1 Spring, 2001 pg. 26 -29

Gopnik, Blake, The Arts, The Globe and Mail,  July 3, 2000

Abercrombie, Nora, Visual Arts, November ‘98, pg. 23. Edmonton Journal.

Tousley, Nancy, “Spatial Sensations”, Calgary Herald, April 26, 1997, Sec. I, pg. 16

Long, Timothy, “Simone:  Blake Senini”, exhibition catalogue, Mackenzie Art Gallery, Regina, Sask., 1996

Beatty, Greg, “Artist Sculpts Works for the Spirit”, The Leader Post, Regina, Sask, April 6, 1996, pg. D2        

Beatty, Greg, “Dedicated to Simone Weil”, Espace Magazine, Montreal, Quebec, Fall ’96, pg. 31-34

Tousley, Nancy, "Sculptures Set Up Paradoxes", Calgary Herald, March 30, 1994, pg.6

Lehmann, Henry "Optica Vision", The Mirror, December, 1994 Vol.10, No. 28, P. 43.

Crom, Marie-Michèle, "A` la recherché du temps Perdu", Les Arts, December 1994,      pg. D18

Tousley, Nancy, "Reviews, Artwalk/Artweek", Canadian Art, Winter 1993, Vol. 10,      pg. 62.

"What’s Up" - Calgary Herald, March 11, 1994, pg. 1

Tousley, Nancy, "Spun-out", Calgary Herald, May 1990

Tousley, Nancy, "Sculpture '90:  Four Alberta Sculptors", Calgary Herald (in the Frame), June 15, 1990

Tousley, Nancy, "Sculptor Makes Big Changes in Sixth Solo," Calgary Herald (Scene), June 2, 1989,

MacKay, Allan, "Survey Alberta '88", Alberta College of Art Gallery, (Catalogue), 1988

Bond, Eleanor, "Gang of Three (New Sculpture from Calgary)" (Catalogue), Ace Art and Plug-in Inc., Winnipeg, Manitoba, 1987

Ylitalo, Katherine, "Wall/Space - New Sculpture by Six Calgary Artists" (Catalogue),  Glenbow-Alberta Institute, Calgary, 1987

Tousley, Nancy, "Glenbow Exhibit's Sculpture Interacts with Architecture", Calgary Herald                                                      

Butler, Sheila, "Gang of Three", Vanguard Magazine, September/October 1987, pp. 33-34

Goslin, Mark, "Dreaming Before Nature" (Catalogue), Edmonton Art Gallery, 1987

O'Neill, Colleen, "Wall Space - New Sculpture from Calgary", Vanguard Magazine, November 1987, pp. 34-35

Blanchette, Manon, "Five Sculptors from Southern Alberta," Vanguard, Feb.pp. 64-65

Laviolette, Mary-Beth, "Oddly Out of the Ordinary", Cityscope, May/June, 1986,           pp. 10-11; pp. 46-47

Tousley, Nancy, "Gallery-filling Installation Reflects Stories' Two Sides", Calgary Herald, June 20, 1986, D11

Strong, Marla, Blake Senini/Off Centre Centre, Vanguard, October 1986, p. 34

Laviolette, Mary-Beth, "Blake Senini - Sculpture" (Catalogue), Southern Alberta Art , Gallery, Lethbridge Alberta, 1986

Tousley, Nancy, "Sculptor Finds Independence in Own Studio," Calgary Herald, January 26, 1986, p.F2

Mabie, Don, "Blake Senini/Canadian Art Galleries," Vanguard, October 1985, pp. 43-44

Westra, Monique, "Five Sculptors from Southern Alberta," (Catalogue), Whyte Museum, Banff  , Oct. 19 85

Tousley, Nancy, "Exhibit Samples Sculpting Efforts", Calgary Herald, November 1,1985, p. F

Mabie, Don (ed.), "The First Ten/ The Catalogue," Off Centre Centre, 1985, pp. 31 and 108, illus.

 

Blake Senini currently lives and works in Calgary, Alberta. He is a Professor Emeritus in the Sculpture Department at the Alberta College of Art and Design.

Revised December 2019