Aiden Kirkegaard’s work investigates how the physical and material processes of painting can elicit memory and dreaming. Through the material research of painting, her work explores what memory could look like and how it behaves. Painting becomes a mode through which Aiden accesses personal memories and imagines alternative realities. Her physical studio space becomes a dwelling place for dreaming. In large-scale shaped canvases, imagery of doorways and windows from Aiden’s previous homes function as a place of origin. Memories, even those unremembered, line the walls of the spaces we grew up in, they are embedded and woven into its architecture. This imagery is used as a space to hold and embrace playful mark-making and colour application. While their reference to home architecture is rooted in real spaces, Aiden’s paintings are also imaginary. Moments spoken and movements made in these spaces are transformed into form and colour. The painted mark traces memory; with liveliness it manifests into a visual representation of daydreaming.
CV
Education
2024
MFA, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver
2020
BFA with Minor in Art History, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna
Solo Exhibitions
2024
Dal Schindel Gallery, Vancouver
2020
French Braids and Braces, Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art, Kelowna
2019
Interwoven, Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art, Kelowna
Simple Service, Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art, Kelowna
Group Exhibitions
2024
The Show, Libby Leshgold Gallery, Vancouver
Kindred, MFA Thesis Exhibition, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver
2023
State of Practice, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver
New & Emerging, Seymour Art Gallery, North Vancouver
2022
LIARS & LOVERS, Lake Country Art Gallery, Lake Country
2021
Postcard Project & Studio Sale, Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art, Kelowna
Art on the Line, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna
2020
Any Moment, BFA Grad Exhibition, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Online
Painting 312, Fina Gallery, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna
Art on the Line, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna
2019
Mid Space, Fina Gallery, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna
SITELINES, Fina Gallery, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna
Advanced Painting, Fina Gallery, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna
2018
TALK, Rotary Centre for the Arts, Kelowna
2nd Year Painting, Fina Gallery, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna
Focal Points, Rotary Centre for the Arts, Kelowna
Art on the Line, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna
2017
Wild Nature’s Images, Gallery Vertigo, Vernon
Residencies
2024
Griffin Art Projects x ECU Studio Award (May-June), North Vancouver
Publications/Writing/Talks
2020
Artist Talk, Vernon Public Art Gallery, Vernon
FEMME Handbook, Annual Print Magazine Publication
2019
FEMME Handbook, Annual Print Magazine Publication
2018
Written Matter Interpretive Essay, Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art, Kelowna
Artist Talk, Lunchbox Speaker Series, Kelowna Art Gallery, Kelowna
Work Experience
2024
Teaching Assistant, FNDT-150-S001-2024: Painting: Colour + Materials, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver
2023
Teaching Assistant, PNTG-315-F001-2023: Painting Practices: Topic, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver
2022
Teaching Assistant, PNTG-200-F031-2022: Painting Practices, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver
2020
Classroom Assistant, Disability Resource Centre, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna
Event Coordinator, Art on the Line, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna
2018
Community Outreach Assistant, Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art, Kelowna
Awards/Scholarships
2023
Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s (CGS M), SSHRC, Emily Carr University of
Art + Design, Vancouver
2022
Gathie Falk Visual Arts Scholarship Fund, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver
Entrance Scholarship, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver
2020
University of BC Okanagan Medal in Fine Arts, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna
Dean’s List, Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna
Norma and Jack Aitken Prize in Visual Arts, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna
2019
Lind Prize longlist, The Polygon Gallery, North Vancouver
Dean’s List, Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna
Frances Harries Prize in Fine Arts, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna
2018
Asper Scholarship, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna
Dean’s List, Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna
2017
Doug Biden Memorial Scholarship in Visual Arts, University of British Columbia Okanagan
Dean’s List, Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna
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Bio
Aiden Kirkegaard is a painter working in Vancouver and a recent 2024 MFA graduate from Emily Carr University of Art + Design. Aiden received her BFA with a Minor in Art History from the University of British Columbia Okanagan in 2020. In 2023, Aiden received the Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s Award (CGS M) for her research studies at Emily Carr. Aiden acknowledges that she is a guest creating work on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh nations.