A Visual Storyteller – Canadian Artist Brandy Saturley

Canadian Visual Artist Brandy Saturley is a visual storyteller, painter, and #ICONICCANUCK™

Artist Statement: I am obsessed with the iconography of Canada, and in turn I am creating my own.

Initially the work I became known for drew inspiration from “popular culture” and stereotypes, but as time passed, I became increasingly interested in gaining a genuine understanding of the collective Canadian consciousness. To achieve this, I embarked on a journey of exploration, traveling extensively and immersing myself in the local culture. By returning home to Vancouver Island, I gained a deeper appreciation of my own upbringing and cultural background. My artistic practice revolves around acrylic painting on canvas, although over the years, I have incorporated other mediums such as collage, photography, writing, and video. My paintings explore themes related to Canadian popular culture, symbolism, and landscapes, portrayed with vivid palettes and rendered in my distinctive pop realism style. While some describe me as a visual storyteller, others suggest that my work invites viewers to create their own stories. To me, art serves as a conduit for appreciating life more profoundly, and I believe that it simply exists, without the need for understanding or labels. Each viewer brings their own unique experiences and perspectives when engaging with a work of art, which can often trigger memories. When an art lover connects with my work, a gift is both given and received.

SHORT BIO: Brandy Saturley was born in Victoria, BC Canada. Saturley studied contemporary visual arts in London, England at The Royal College of Art & Emily Carr University in Vancouver, Canada. The artist also carries a degree in cinema from the Victoria Motion Picture School. Saturley’s work has been exhibited internationally and collected widely. Public collections include Colart Collection (Rossy Family Trust), Price’s Alarms, Canadian Tire, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and Blue Ant Media. Saturley’s work was shortlisted for an Olympic Trophy in 2014. Gaining notoriety as the ‘Voice of Canadian Pop Art’ ~ Whitehot Magazine NYC, 2018

In 2022, Saturley was awarded the Paul D. Fleck Fellowships in the Arts Endowment for her residency in the Leighton Studios at The Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.

Canadian Visual Artist, Brandy Saturley, in her Vancouver Island studio.

The Artworks of Brandy Saturley have been featured in numerous publications, websites and blogs including; CBC Arts, Forbes, Our Canada, More Our Canada, Whitehot Magazine NYC, Okotoks Western Wheel , Whistler Traveller Magazine, Sherwood Park News, Canmore Leader News, Sportsnet, and in many Canadian blogs including AllHabs Magazine, Canadian Art Junkie, Puckstruck, Dennis-Kane.com, Independent Sports News, Curry’s Canada, Life As Human, and a Portrait of the Visual Arts in Canada. Saturley’s self-published works and portfolio are on file with ARTEXTE in Montreal, and the National Gallery of Canada Library and Archives.

British Columbia born and West Coast raised, the Vancouver Island artist spends time traveling across Canada, her home and studio have always remained in Victoria, BC. The artist openly shares her studio process, art travel and road trips, exhibition news, and new painting releases on her Instagram page daily. You can follow Brandy Saturley on Instagram.

Canadian painter, Brandy Saturley, in her Victoria studio.

CV HIGHLIGHTS

Short documentary film about Brandy Saturley (early life and impetus for paintings about hockey) : The Iconic Canuck

AWARDS

2022 Paul D. Fleck Fellowships in the Arts Endowment | Banff Centre For Arts & Creativity | Banff, AB

2021 Certificate of Artistic Achievement | Luxembourg Art Prize | Luxembourg

2018 Catalogue Cover – 50th Anniversary SCA Exhibition Catalogue Papermill Gallery | Toronto, CANADA

2018 Finalist – NPAF Haleakala National Park Artist-in-Residence Program | Maui, Hawaii USA

2017 Travel Bursary – Visual Arts Alberta/CARFAC

2014 Shortlisted – IOC/ Canadian Olympic Committee Olympic Trophy in Sport & Art, Toronto, ON

2014 People’s Choice Award – Art: Objet de Sport – Gallery@501, Sherwood Park, Alberta

2013/20 Purchase Awards – Colart Collection (Larry Rossy Family Trust) – Mount Royal, Quebec

2010 Representation Award at SCOPE Miami 2010 – Juried by Elisabeth Sussman, Senior Curator, The Whitney Museum of American Art, New York and Jarrett Gregory, Curatory of Contemporary Art, The New Museum, New York.

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2022 MODERN CANADIAN POP MYTHOS | Brandy Saturley Gallery | Berlin Kunstmatrix Gallery

2021 BOUNDLESS NORTH | Brandy Saturley Studio | Berlin Kunstmatrix Gallery

2020 People of Canada Portrait Project | Brandy Saturley Studio | Berlin Kunstmatrix Gallery

2017 CANADIANISMS: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada | Okotoks Art Gallery – Calgary, CANADA

2017 CANADIANISMS: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada | Gallery @501 – Edmonton, CANADA

2013 #ICONICCANUCK | VAAA Gallery @ Harcourt House – Edmonton, CANADA

2013 Live painting demo @ Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame – Calgary, CANADA

SELECTED TWO PERSON EXHIBITIONS

2020 TOGETHER/DIVIDED | with Gisa Mayer | Mountain Forms Collective Gallery | Berlin Kunstmatrix

2011 Reflections on Nature | with Brenda Hirst | The Edge Gallery – Canmore, AB CANADA

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2022 Art of Winter Group Show | Adele Campbell Fine Art | Whistler, BC

2022 Filled With Snow Group Show | Willock & Sax Gallery | Banff, Alberta

2021 Winter Group Show | Adele Campbell Fine Art | Whistler, BC

2019 What is an Image? | Dyson Gallery @ Royal College of Art | London, England

2018 Society of Canadian Artists 50th International Exhibition | Papermill Gallery – Toronto, CANADA

2015 POTE: Painting on The Edge | Federation Gallery – Vancouver, BC CANADA

2015 28th Annual Sooke Fine Arts | Fine Arts Association Gallery – Sooke, BC CANADA

2014 Art: Objet de Sport | Strathcona Gallery @501 – Sherwood Park, AB CANADA

2012 LOWBROW | Resolution Gallery – Calgary, AB CANADA

2012 U8 | Sopa Fine Arts Gallery – Kelowna, BC CANADA

2011 70th Anniversary Show Federation of CDN Artists | Federation Gallery – Vancouver, BC CANADA

Critical Comments

“Confronting the enormity of the landscape has become a crucial aspect in Canadian identity, and a thread that is woven throughout Saturley’s work. ~ Andrea Bell

“Saturley’s paintings not only have a sense of humour, but also reference famous works of art. The artworks found in Canadianisms: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada, create an open dialogue of what it means to be Canadian. They are informed by our iconography, our passion, our humour, our tolerance and kindness.” Brenda Barry Byrne

The series, People of Canada, isn’t your traditional set of portraits. Saturley has asked Canadian “couples” to send her “their best photos of themselves as citizens of Canada.” She makes selections from the submitted selfies and transposes them onto iconic Canadian scenery. Christa Couture CBC Canada2017

Vancouver Island’s ‘Iconic Canuck’ paints portrayal of COVID-19. Artist shifted focus to inner world as pandemic changed Canadian cultural landscape. ~ Nina Grossman

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ANDREA BELL is an art historian, critic and writer. Based in New York City.

BRENDA BARRY BYRNE is a Canadian Art Curator. She holds an MFA and BFA.

CHRISTA COUTURE is an award-winning performing and recording artist, non-fiction writer, broadcaster, and cyborg. She is also proudly Indigenous (mixed Cree and Scandinavian), queer, and a mom.

NINA GROSSMAN is a multi-media reporter and journalist.