Keith Chisholm is an artist based between Genoa Bay, Vancouver Island and Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. Born in England and raised in Alberta, Keith received his A.O.C.A. in painting from the Ontario College of Art in 1972 where he was recognized for artistic excellence. His work has been exhibited in various galleries in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Drawing on the idea of sensory memory, Keith’s process involves harnessing visceral emotional experiences from the natural environment back into the realm of the artist studio.
The twenty-five years of painting in relative reclusion has allowed Keith to develop a directed and fully mature body of work. Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to repetition and experimentation, Keith re-visits his canvases, employing the pliable and resistant medium of acrylic polymer to layer and build up the paint’s surface. The results are highly-saturated, contrasting droplets and splashes of pure colour- sometimes revealing a thinner under-painting, oftentimes filling the canvas entirely to give primacy to the flatness of the picture plane.
With a focus on process, Keith engages with dominant discourses of contemporary painting. He re-ignites early Abstract Expressionism through a keen interest in gestural painting while actively exploring and expanding the Canadian landscape tradition. Today as a practicing abstract painter, Keith’s artistic focus and exploration continues to concentrate on his personal interpretation and visual expression of the temperate, arctic and coastal landscapes.
Awards
• McLean Foundation Scholarship
• The Birks Bronze Medal
• Henry Birks Award of Excellence
Education
A.O.C.A. Associate of the Ontario College of Art, 1972
Exhibitions
• Udell Xhibitions, Edmonton Pop-Up Group Show, Edmonton, Alberta, 2017
• The Front Gallery, Summer Showcase, Edmonton, Alberta, 2017
• Kimoto Gallery, Canada 150 Art Show, Vancouver, British Columbia, 2017
• Salt Spring National Art Prize Finalists Exhibition, Salt Spring, British Columbia, 2015
• Genoa Bay Studio, Genoa Bay, British Columbia, 2011
• Fernie Artists Cooperative, Fernie, British Columbia, 2004-2006
• Lebel Mansion, Waterline, Pincher Creek, Alberta, 2006
• Gunn Creek Studio, Crowsnest Pass, Hillcrest Mines, Alberta, 2003
• Douglas Udell Gallery, Fall Group Show 2003, Edmonton, Alberta, 2003
• Douglas Udell Gallery, Spring Group Show, Edmonton, Alberta, 2003
• Douglas Udell Gallery, Fall Group Show, Edmonton, Alberta, 2002
• Donalda Public Art Gallery Solo Exhibition, Waterline Studies: A Preview, Donalda, Alberta, 2001
• Bearclaw Gallery, Spring Exhibition, Edmonton, Alberta, 1996
• Spindrift Gallery, Edmonton, Alberta, 1994-1996
• Grasslands Gallery, Spring Group Show, Edmonton, Alberta, 1995
• Grasslands Gallery, Fall Group Show, Edmonton, Alberta, 1994
• Multicultural Heritage Centre, Two man Exhibition, Stony Plain, Alberta, 1980
• Memorial University Art Gallery, Group Show, St. John’s, Newfoundland, 1973
• “A” Space, Group Show, Toronto, 1973
• Memorial University Art Gallery, Group Show, St. John’s, Newfoundland, 1972
• “A” Space, Group Show, Toronto, 1972
• Ontario College of Art, Solo Exhibition: Perspectives, Toronto, Ontario, 1972
• O’Keefe Centre for the Arts, Group Show, Toronto, Ontario, 1972
• The Grange, Art Gallery of Ontario, Group Show, Toronto, Ontario, 1972
Contracts and Commissions
• Alberta Government Telephones
• Alberta Cancer Board
• Alberta Cancer Foundation
• Alberta Foundation for the Arts
• Alberta Housing and Mortgage Corporation
• Champion Forest Products Ltd.
• City of Edmonton, Public Affairs Bureau
• City of Edmonton
• City of Spruce Grove
• Commonwealth Games Commission
• Edmonton Transit
• Government of Alberta, Public Affairs Bureau
• Government of Canada, External Affairs
• Luscar Mining Ltd.
• March Resources Ltd.
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• Syncrude Canada Ltd.
• Town of Stony Plain
• Unesco International Book Year
• University of Alberta Hospitals
• Westar Mining Inc.
Teaching Experience and Appointments
• Workshop Facilitator, Tutor and Private Class Instructor, 1995-2006
• Multicultural Heritage Foundation, Vice Chairman, Stony Plain, Alberta, 1984-1986
• Memorial University, Fine Arts Extension Department, Instructor, St. Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador, 1973
• Bishop Abraham High School, Fine Arts Teacher, St. Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador, 1972
• McPherson Junior High School, Fine Arts Teacher, St. Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador 1972
• University Centre for Children, Instructor, Toronto, Ontario, 1971-1972
• Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Chairman, Arts Curriculum Committee, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador 1972