Eileen MacArthur

Home: Guelph, Ontario
Title: Aidan
Media: Oil on board / huile sur panneau
Dimensions: 28 x 23 cm

This portrait is one of an ongoing series that explores the use of the head-shot in contemporary portraiture. This type of portrait is typically taken from the shoulders up and ranges in use from mug shots to graduation photos. More recently, this image format is associated with facebook and other social networking sites. Beyond mere representation, the head shot is carefully selected and often edited to display the subject in a very specific manner. The resulting image reflects the individual’s personality via their pose, accessories and style of dress. My intent with these paintings is not to reproduce these crafted and often false self portraits. By using the familiar compositional format of the 8 X 10 portrait photograph, the subject is presented with authority but without any preparation or alteration. The portrait of Aidan painted in 2008 is oil on board and the dimensions are approximately 23 X 28 cm.

EDUCATION:
2005 MFA, The University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
2003 BFA, The Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Halifax, Nova Scotia

EXHIBITIONS: (*indicates solo exhibitions)
2009 2009 Biennial-Some Kind of Wonderful. Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, Ontario
2008 Transactions: 11 Canadian Artists, Chongqing Art Museum (Sichuan Fine Arts Institute), Chongqing, China
2008 Go Figurative. Whitestone Gallery, Guelph, Ontario
2006 Unfabulous. The Temporary City Gallery (AGOG), Guelph, Ontario
2005 Eileen MacArthur/Sarah Cale. Propeller Centre for the Arts, Toronto, Ontario
2005 Pieces Missing. MacDonald Stewart Art Centre, Guelph, Ontario
2004 Melanie Authier/ Martin Golland/ Eileen MacArthur. Zavitz Gallery, Guelph, Ontario
2004 Compilation 2. Durham Art Gallery, Durham, Ontario
2004 Switch. Centre for the Arts, University at Buffalo, New York
2004 Compilation. Zavitz Gallery, Guelph, Ontario
2003 Six From Halifax. Ciparis-Lennox Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
2003 Paintings.* Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax, Nova Scotia
2002 Prints II. Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax, Nova Scotia
2001 The 24 Hour Drawing Marathon. Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax, Nova Scotia
2001 Prints I. Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax, Nova Scotia
1999 One of. Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax, Nova Scotia
1997 1996 Truck Gallery, Calgary, Alberta

AWARDS:
2005 University of Guelph Travel Grant
2005 University of Guelph Access Bursary
2003 Board of Graduate Studies Research Scholarship
2003 University of Guelph Scholarship
2002 Endowment Fund Scholarship
2002 Margo and Roland Marshall Award for Printmaking
2002 Simon Chang and Phyllis Levine Foundation Scholarship
2001 Centennial Scholarship

PUBLICATIONS:
2008 Bin, Feng, Transactions, exhibition catalogue (upcoming), Chongqing Art Museum
2005 Artist talk, Pieces Missing, MacDonald Stewart Art Centre, Guelph, Ontario
2005 Ware, Aidan, The Fabulous Unfabulous, exhibition catalogue, Temporary City Gallery, Ontario
2004 Carousel Magazine, edition #15 (Spring 2004)
2003 Carousel Magazine, edition #14 (Winter 2003)