York University
Art Collection Online

Brian (Richard) Fisher (1939–2012) was a versatile artist who worked as a painter, printmaker, and teacher. He was born in Uxbridge, England, to Canadian parents but moved to Canada during his early childhood. Fisher completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Saskatchewan’s Regina College before further developing his skills at the Vancouver School of Art and the Academia de Belle Arti in Rome, Italy. After returning to Canada, he gained recognition for his unique artistic style, utilizing acrylic paint on wet canvas to blend vibrant colors. Fisher often incorporated concentric rings in his paintings and adorned them with a mesmerizing spiral creating mandala-like shapes.

In 1963, Fisher began his teaching career at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. He also taught at the Vancouver School of Art from 1964 to 1965 and later shared his knowledge with students at the University of Calgary in 1969 and the Banff Summer Workshop in 1973. From 1976 to 1980, he taught at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan. Throughout his teaching years, Fisher remained actively involved in the Canadian art scene.

Fisher’s artistic journey included numerous exhibitions throughout Canada, starting with his first solo exhibition at the New Design Gallery in Vancouver in 1965. His works have been shown in collections such as the Canada Council Art Bank, National Gallery of Canada, Art Gallery of Ontario, and Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal. Fisher gained national attention through his participation in the Canadian pavilion at Expo 67 in Montreal. His talent was recognized further when he was featured as one of the 24 artists in William Withrow's Contemporary Canadian Painting (1972) publication.

Despite his early prominence, Fisher gradually faded from Canadian public awareness, possibly due to his relocation to Adelaide, Australia until his passing in 2012.