James Kirkpatrick

Emerging from London Ontario with its strong history focused on regionalism, Kirkpatrick naturally reflected on what was directly in front of him in terms of subject matter and materials.

Well known for his participation in the early Canadian graffiti movement and as avant-garde hip hop artists Thesis Sahib, Kirkpatrick works in a variety of media including, drawing, painting, sound sculptures, murals, zines, comics, and mask making.

His paintings and sculptures incorporate, kinetic and auditory elements, as he combines his 2D aesthetic with altered electronic toys. Likewise, compositions written on modified Gameboys and circuit-bent sounds have become part of his music and on-stage performances as Thesis Sahib and the European/Canadian band AWARDS.

A graduate of the Nova Scotia college of Art and Design, Kirkpatrick’s music and visual art pursuits have taken him across North America, Europe, Asia and beyond. With numerous solo and group exhibitions, residencies and performances under his belt, Kirkpatrick is a multi-tasking, interdisciplinary and prolific artist.

He joins a long tradition of artists whose art making is entwined with an exploration of everyday life and a search to understand our place in the world.