Ken Kirkby

1940–

Ken Michael Kirkby (1940– ) is a self-taught Canadian painter fond of the Canadian landscape, particularly the Arctic and Canada’s west coast, where he lives. Born in London, England, but raised in Portugal, Kirkby moved to Canada with his family in 1958 and spent the next year trying to get to the pristine Arctic, which he had learned so much about as a child. Kirkby eventually spent five years living in the north. The area inspired him, and he began to do sketches depicting the life he had come to witness. Kirkby’s work is interested in the land and sea of the wild and windy West Coast. Kirkby also painted in finely executed oil a series of Inukshuks against various Arctic skies, many showing light showering. The Inukshuk became an inspirational focal point for Ken and his art, initiating his best-known works.

Kirkby created the Isumataq project from 1991 to 1994 to bridge the gap between the Inuit community and other Canadians. The project was unveiled during his address in the Canadian Parliament in March 1992, followed by exhibitions in New York and Ottawa.  =Kirkby received the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Canadian Confederation in 1993 for his contributions. His artwork is featured in public, private, and corporate collections, including those of notable figures like the Royal Family, Canadian Parliament, Pierre Elliot Trudeau, Jean Chretien, and John Fraser, Speaker of the House of Commons.
 

Artworks