Downshift 1
Breach 2
Monk 4
Big Bang 6 - Flutter
Monk 2
Monk 1
Monk 5
Untitled 6-19
Untitled 1-19
Untitled 3-19
Untitled 2-19
Untitled, 2022
Algorithm for a Safecracker: X7
Atlantis Ping
Shards 3
Shards 2
Shards 1
Untitled (1)
Lost Algorithm 2
David Newkirk
Born: April 23, 1948
Price Range: $1900-$5000
In my paintings, I am interested in balancing the contradictions between orderly and expressive elements, methodical and intuitive processes, flat and implied three-dimensional space. Spontaneous/disorderly layers of shape and colour emerge from a largely intuitive process; the structured layers involve more deliberate planning. I enjoy both approaches in the overall process. Stated another way, the struggle for me is somehow to bring into balance the dichotomy of my own thinking and doing.
Rothko felt that large paintings allowed the artist to stay “inside” his/her work. I generally paint on fairly large canvasses that correspond roughly to the size of my body, and which will accommodate the arcs of gestures that are translated into lines and shapes in the paintings. The canvasses are large enough for me to stay “inside” the creative arena of each painting.
My work investigates the achievements of Modernism and its descendants. However, I remain skeptical of the many philosophical barriers that once may have seemed so important to each of the various schools of 20th century painting. I make no-holds-barred, wide-open paintings that dictate to me any stylistic restrictions, as they come to life in the studio. Within this permeable framework I try to create personally authentic paintings.
David Newkirk, winter 2013
Selected Exhibitions
2015, solo show The Reach Public Art Gallery, Abbotsford, BC.
2014, solo show (with supporting grant from the Ontario Arts Council), Thames Gallery, Chatham, Ont.
2013 Christmas Miniatures, Wallace Galleries, Calgary
2013, Group show, Wallace Galleries, Calgary, Alberta
2012, Group show, Oeno Gallery, Picton, Ontario
2012, The Affordable Art Fair, New York City, represented by Engine Gallery, Toronto
2011, Seeing Red & White Artists’ Exhibition, Kelowna Art Gallery, Kelowna, BC
2011, solo show, Vernon Public Art Gallery, Vernon, BC, curated by Lubos Culen
2011, Engine Gallery, Toronto, group show
2010, Engine Gallery, Toronto, group show
2010, Toronto International Art Fair, represented by Engine Gallery, Toronto
2009, December group show, SOPA Fine Arts, Kelowna, BC
2009, Spring group show, SOPA Fine Arts, Kelowna, BC
2008, This Just In, group show, SOPA Fine Arts, Kelowna, BC
2008, David Newkirk: Spare Parts, solo show, SOPA Fine Arts, Kelowna, BC
2006, Recent Work, Loop Gallery, Toronto
2005, Go Figure, Latcham Gallery, Stouffville, Ont., 10-artist exhibition curated by Maura Broadhurst
2004, Re-con-figuration, group exhibition curated by Director Joyce Millar at the Stewart Hall Art Gallery, Montreal
2003, I’m Thirsty, curated by Nicola Woods, Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts, Toronto.
Group exhibition included in the Ontario Society of Artists’ Water Project
1996 , Arts Etobicoke, Etobicoke Civic Centre, juried exhibition, (award of merit)
1988, Whitman Gallery, Toronto, two-artist show
1984, Idée Gallery, Toronto, group exhibition
1982, David Newkirk, Ten Years, solo show, Thames Cultural Centre, Chatham, Ontario
1980, New Talent in Canada, Prince Arthur Galleries, Toronto, three-artist exhibition
1980, Burlington Cultural Centre, Burlington, Ontario, juried exhibition
1980, Arts Etobicoke, Etobicoke Civic Centre, juried exhibition
1978, Mandeville Gallery (Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation), North York, solo show
1972, Rothmans Art Gallery, Stratford, Ontario, juried exhibition, (best in show)
1971, Rothmans Art Gallery, Stratford, Ontario, juried exhibition
Education
1976–8 Studies in art history, York University, Toronto
1974 Visual Arts Education Specialist, Ontario Ministry of Education
1973 Bachelor of Education, University of Toronto
1970–76 Part-time studies (studio) University of Western Ontario, Three Schools (Toronto), and the Ontario College of Art and Design University
1969–70 Ontario College of Art and Design University, Toronto
1969 Bachelor of Arts, University of Western Ontario
Bibliography
Broadhurst, M., Curator, Latcham Gallery, Stouffville, Ontario; Go Figure, Contemporary
Investigations into the Human Figure, exhibition publication, 2005
Culen, Lubos, Curator, Vernon Public Art Gallery; Fault Lines and Fantasies: David Newkirk,
exhibition publication, 2011
Chatham (Bureau), Artist Paints Life the Way He Sees It, The London Free Press, Nov. 1, 1982
Millar, J., (edited by, director/curator Stewart Hall Art Gallery, Pointe Claire, P.Q.)
Re-con-Figuration, (exhibition publication), 2004
Priegert, P., Artist Ventures Into Abstraction, Event Magazine, Kelowna Daily Courier, March 28, 2008
Shuebrook, R., History, Self, and Transformation: David Newkirk’s The Juicetrain Dialogues, joint Thames Art Gallery and The Reach (Abbotsford) publication, 2014 ISBN 978-1-894651-94-3
Wagner, V., At Least Two Artists Don’t Fit Stereotype Image, Chatham Daily News, Nov. 13, 1982
Teaching
1993 to 2000, Head of Creative Arts Department, (visual arts, music, drama, and dance),
North Albion Collegiate Institute, Toronto District School Board
1977 to 1993, Head of Visual Arts Department, North Albion Collegiate Institute
1973 to 2000, Art teacher, North Albion Collegiate Institute
1970–72, Art teacher, subject chair, Stratford Central Secondary School, Stratford, Ontario
(Perth County Board of Education)
Collections
BMO Financial Group, Corporate Art Collection
Rogers Broadcasting, Toronto
Municipality of Chatham Kent, Ontario
Lifetime Developments, Toronto
Vernon Public Art Gallery, Vernon, B.C.
The Thames Art Gallery, Chatham, ON
The Reach Gallery Museum, Abbotsford, B.C
The City of Pointe Claire, P.Q.
Private collections across Canada, and in the United States