KYLE BEAL

VIVIANEART is very pleased to present a solo exhibition of new drawings by Alberta artist, Kyle Beal. In this his debut showing at the gallery, Beal brings his characteristic intellect and wit to bear on what could be considered a mundane everyday object, the mirror. Commonplace as it may be, over the bathroom sink or in the entrance hallway, the mirror, often adorned as a decorative domestic element, is loaded with meaning above and beyond its practical usage.

In these highly nuanced renderings, Beal’s skill as a draftsman creates a portrayal of the mirror that does not allow reflection. His drawings exist as images of objects that frustrate expectations. The viewers catch only a glimpse of themselves, at the edge, a part of the framing. A nod to everything from Narcissus to our present day selfie culture, the viewer encounters a mirror that does not return their image.

Beal holds a BFA from the Alberta College of Art and Design (2001) and an MFA from the University of Victoria (2004). His work has been exhibited across Canada and the United States, of particular note, he was included in the 2015 Alberta Biennial of Contemporary Art at the Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton, and at the Esker Foundation, Calgary. Beal currently lives and works in Edmonton, Alberta. Upcoming exhibitions include a Series Exhibition in 2019 at the Nickle Galleries at the University of Calgary.