About
Ian Kimmerly is a San Francisco based artist who received an MFA from the University of Arizona and studied at the Academy of Fine Art and Design in Bratislava, Slovakia. He has been an Artist in Residence at the Vermont Studio Center and the Santa Fe Art Institute and received a grant from the Sustainable Arts Foundation. His work is represented by The Dolby Chadwick Gallery in San Francisco where The San Francisco Chronicle, 7x7 Magazine, SF Weekly and others, reviewed his solo exhibitions As We Wander, We Are Closer (2016) and Continuous Wave (2013). He is an Adjunct Instructor of Painting and Drawing at City College of San Francisco.
In The Studio: Video Courtesy of Authenticity B. Designs | Produced by Chris Sithi / Spleeny Films
Statement
My paintings incorporate various images and pictorial modes to explore the evolving notions of memory, personal experience, and self in the digital age. Works are inspired by disparate elements and combine a variety of found and personal photos, video stills, and other references. These elements are incorporated into open color fields and atmospheres that speak to the temporal and ephemeral qualities of mediating technologies, particularly social media and digital innovations. My research is primarily concerned with how these technologies have so quickly affected the ways in which we remember, relate to each other, and understand as well as define our world. Recently, these issues have led me to examine sociological texts by Sherry Tuttle and Nicholas Carr, alongside themes in the work of postmodern theorists like Jean Francois Lyotard.
I find painting an ideal format for exploring the tension between nonobjective and illusionary space, the gap between abstraction and figurative realms. In my work, gestural, wavelike painted passages often submerge a variety of images. Concealed images include objects cast as reflections in windows, distorted video stills and artificial elements such as mannequins and store displays. These images present a secondhand or mediated relationship to actual experience that calls into question how we define the real. During the painting process, images are blurred, scraped and layered with color to emphasize the complexity of defining authentic experiences. This fragmented approach to a painting’s subjects is meant to create a visual distancing where the seams of an image, what’s tenuously holding it together, are revealed.
I continuously examine how continental philosophy and critical theory grapple with the nature of reality, defining the basis and terms for such a complicated discussion. I see painting as fertile terrain for this dialogue, where the physical and immediate qualities of paint coexist with images and representations of the natural world. I am drawn to nature as an antidote to the distractions of the digital world and often find significance, meaning and harmony in the structures of tree branches or a lake’s wave patterns. The transcendental potential of the natural world, the symmetry and shapes inherent in forests, fields and bodies of water, make them an integral part of my work and its underlying focus, the investigation of what binds us together.
EDUCATION
2005 MFA, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
2004 Academy of Fine Arts and Design, Bratislava, Slovakia
2002 BFA, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
2001 London School of Economics, London, England
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023
Lost and Found, Christopher Martin Gallery, Dallas, TX
2022
Dear Stranger, Dolby Chadwick Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2021
Christopher Martin Gallery, Dallas, Texas
2016
As We Wander, We Are Closer, Dolby Chadwick Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2013
Continuous Wave, Dolby Chadwick Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2011
Mediated Memories, Cottage Industry Painting Salon, San Francisco, CA
2008
Scenery, Della Brown Taylor Gallery, West Virginia State University, Institute, WV
2005
Arrivals/Departures, Shane House Gallery, Tucson, AZ
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2021
Changing Perspective, Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Sacramento, CA
Unprecedented, Healdsburg Center for the Arts, Healdsburg, CA
Christopher Martin Gallery, Houston, TX
2020
The de Young Open, de Young Museum, San Francisco, CA
Susan Street Fine Art, Solano Beach, CA
Stay Inspired: Art and Poetry, Dolby Chadwick Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2019
Content Matters, Marin Museum of Contemporary Art, Novato, CA
Lighting Strikes II, Dolby Chadwick Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Milieu, Christoper Martin Gallery, Dallas, TX
2018
Color, Czong Institute for Contemporary Art, Gimpo, South Korea
Small Works, Richmond Art Center, Richmond, CA
2017
Interstate, Sarah Spurgeon Gallery, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA
National Juried Exhibition, Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art, Wausau, WI
20th Anniversary Exhibition, Dolby Chadwick Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Future Former, University of Michigan School of Art, Ann Arbor, MI
Summer Group Exhibition, Rarity Gallery, Mykonos, Greece
2016
Family Portraits, Richmond Art Center, Richmond, CA
2015
Microcosmos, Gallery 621, Benicia, CA
SFO/SNA, Coastline Community College, Newport, CA
Faculty Exhibition, City College of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
2014
Here and Now, City College of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
2012
Point of No Return, Southern Exposure, San Francisco, CA
2011
Editing, K Imperial Fine Arts, San Francisco, CA
Visual Aid’s Big Deal, SOMArts Cultural Center, San Francisco, CA
Elsewhere, Arkansas State University, Fine Arts Center Gallery, Jonesboro, AR
Staff Infection, San Francisco Art Institute, CA
2010
Within, 500X Gallery, Dallas, TX
Artists Leading Artists: Faculty and Staff Exhibition, San Francisco Art Institute
The Affordable Art Fair, Stephanie Breitbard Fine Arts, 7 West New York, NY
2009
Dualities, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA
2008
Landscape, Nature and Space, Bucheon Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Paint Snob, McLennan Community College CSC Art Gallery, Waco, TX
2007
Sprawl, Parchman Stremmel Gallery, San Antonio, TX
Home, Root Division, San Francisco CA
SFAI Now, Red Ink Studios, San Francisco, CA
2006
Save the Date, Dinnerware Contemporary Art, Tucson, AZ
Telling Time, Dinnerware Contemporary Art, Tucson, AZ
H2O, Dinnerware Contemporary Art, Tucson, AZ
Fragile Systems, Art One Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ
Reaching Out, Ward 6 Gallery, Tucson, AZ
Slow, Dinnerware Contemporary Art, Tucson, AZ
2005
From Nothing, Hotel Congress, Tucson, AZ
Salon de Refuses, Dinnerware Contemporary Art, Tucson, AZ
2004
Biennale, Academy of Fine Art and Design, Bratislava, Slovakia
Remembering, Tatranskà Galéria, Poprad, Slovakia
Placebo, Academy of Fine Art and Design, Bratislava, Slovakia
2003
In Space, Fremont House of the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Wedge, Shane House Gallery, Tucson, AZ
2002
Crossing Borders, Casa de Cultura, Nogales, Mexico
ACADEMIC POSITIONS
2013-Present Adjunct Instructor of Painting and Drawing, City College of San Francisco
Basic Painting, Intermediate Painting, Advanced Painting, Advanced Painting II, Basic Drawing, Figure Drawing
2005-2006 Adjunct Instructor, University of Arizona, School of Art
Beginning Painting, Advanced Painting, Drawing, Figure Drawing
2003-2004 Instructor of Record, University of Arizona, School of Art
2-D Foundations/Color and Design
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2013-2014 Graduate Exhibition Co-curator and Coordinator, San Francisco Art Institute
2010-2013 Director of Graduate Operations, San Francisco Art Institute
2006-2009 Graduate Facilities Manager, San Francisco Art Institute
2005-2006 Instructor, Tucson Museum of Art School, Tucson, AZ
2006 Preparator and Gallery Assistant, Dinnerware Gallery, Tucson, AZ
2002-2005 Painting Area Technician, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
1999-2002 Chief Preparator’s Assistant, University of Michigan Museum of Art, Ann Arbor
PUBLIC LECTURES
2023
Guest Critic, California College of the Arts, San Francisco, CA
2020
Guest Critic, California College of the Arts, San Francisco, CA
2016
California Institute of Art - San Francisco
2014
University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Santa Fe Art Institute, Santa Fe, NM
2008
West Virginia State University, Institute, WV
2005
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
2004
Academy of Fine Art and Design, Bratislava, Slovakia
REVIEWS AND PRESS
2020
Artist Feature, Catamaran Literary Reader, Volume 7, Issue 4, January 6.
2019
“Lighting Strikes II”, Exhibition Catalog, Dolby Chadwick Gallery, San Francisco, CA
“Poetry and Painting at Dolby Chadwick,” Square Cylinder, Julia Couzens, December 29.
“Lightning Strikes II: 22 poets. 22 artists,” SF/ARTS Monthly, December 7.
2017
National Juried Exhibition Catalog, Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art; Wausau, WI
2016
"Fall Arts 2016: Art Preview," SF Weekly, Jonathan Curiel, August 31.
"Ian Kimmerly Exhibition at Dolby Chadwick Gallery," Widewalls, Elena Martinique, December 2.
"Exhibition of New Work by Ian Kimmerly Opens at Dolby Chadwick Gallery," Art Daily, December 8.
"Top 5 Most Anticipated Art Shows for Fall/Winter 2016," Art Perspective, August 8.
2015
"Hidden Pictures", V̶E̶N̶T̶R̶I̶L̶O̶Q̶U̶I̶S̶T̶ Quarterly Art Journal, Vol. II
2013
“Ian Kimmerly: ‘Continuous Wave,’” San Francisco Chronicle, Kimberly Chun, June 13.
“Artist’s Statement: Ian Kimmerly on Why Painting Is His ‘Crazy Obsession,’” SF Weekly, Jonathan Curiel, June 21.
“Ian Kimmerly @ Dolby Chadwick,” Fecal Face, Rachel Ralph, June 19.
“S.F. Agenda: Ian Kimmerly,” California Home and Design, Dara Kerr, June 3.
“Ian Kimmerly and ‘Continuous Wave,’” Fine Art Connoisseur, Jeffrey Carlson, June 5.
“Week’s Hottest Events: Continuous Wave,” 7x7 SF, Holly McDede, June 3.
“A Lingering Tour: Three Pieces Worth Spending Some Time With”, SF Weekly, Jonathan Curiel, June 19.
“Continuous Wave: An Exhibition of New Paintings by Ian Kimmerly Opens at Dolby Chadwick Gallery,” Art Daily,
June 4.
2011
Property Owning Democracy: Rawls and Beyond. Ed. Martin O’Neill and Thad Williamson. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011. (Cover Art)
2008
“Ian Kimmerly: Emerging Bay Area Painter,” Plastic Antinomy Visual Arts Quarterly, San Francisco and Oakland, CA
2007
Home Exhibition Catalog, Root Division; San Francisco, CA
2006
New American Paintings, Western Edition, The Open Studios Press; Boston, MA
PUBLIC PROJECTS
2019
Finalist, Commission for UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA
2011
Tactile Dome Re-Design, The Exploratorium, San Francisco, CA
AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS, RESIDENCIES
2019
Finalist, UC Davis Medical Center Commission, Sacramento, CA
2016
Juror's Award, Richmond Art Center, Richmond, CA
2014
Artist In Residence, Santa Fe Art Institute, Santa Fe, NM
Artist In Residence, Vermont Studio Center (Sustainable Arts Foundation Fellowship), Johnson, VT
Showcase Award, Artslant.com
2013
Finalist, 2x2 Solos Award, Pro Arts Gallery, Oakland, CA
2009
Nomination, SECA Award, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, CA
2006
Vermont Studio Center Fellowship
2005
MFA Project Grant, University of Arizona
2002-2005
Graduate Scholarship, University of Arizona
1999-2002
Dean’s List Award, University of Michigan
GALLERY REPRESENTATION