Bio
Ken Bray grew up in Atlantic Canada (born 1956, Nova Scotia). He began studying the fundamentals of painting at the age of 10. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Regina, where he studied under Ted Godwin and Art McKay. He received a Masters of Fine Arts from York University, studying under Ted Bieler and Mike Davey. Further studies led to a Bachelor of Art Education, University of Toronto.
A descendant of generations of Nova Scotian fishermen and coal miners, Ken has long been inspired by the creativity and resourcefulness of his ancestors and their ability to survive on hostile land and sea. As a young lad, his own discoveries and explorations along coasts and on the water were seminal to this affinity and respect for the land. In earlier works through the 1980's and 90's his work signified man's abilities to implement materials and processes as a stabilizing and balancing response to conditions given by nature. "Bray turns to his Nova Scotian heritage for what it offers as response to such conditions." (Jerry McGrath, 1986, Vanguard Magazine). The work through this period employed a variety of sculptural methods as well as drawings and watercolours.
After some years away from the easel when his three children were small, Ken has returned with a new body of work. This new work depicts the raw image of landscape, without a trace of humanity. Ken takes regular trips to the East coast and to points along the Canadian Shield. His prairie landscapes are derived from the last fifteen years of summers in the Qu'Appelle Valley in Saskatchewan, the home province of his wife, Marita.
He has exhibited his work throughout Canada. His art is held in private collections in Canada, the United States and Europe. He has received several provincial arts awards and a significant Canada Council Award. He presently lives in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
A descendant of generations of Nova Scotian fishermen and coal miners, Ken has long been inspired by the creativity and resourcefulness of his ancestors and their ability to survive on hostile land and sea. As a young lad, his own discoveries and explorations along coasts and on the water were seminal to this affinity and respect for the land. In earlier works through the 1980's and 90's his work signified man's abilities to implement materials and processes as a stabilizing and balancing response to conditions given by nature. "Bray turns to his Nova Scotian heritage for what it offers as response to such conditions." (Jerry McGrath, 1986, Vanguard Magazine). The work through this period employed a variety of sculptural methods as well as drawings and watercolours.
After some years away from the easel when his three children were small, Ken has returned with a new body of work. This new work depicts the raw image of landscape, without a trace of humanity. Ken takes regular trips to the East coast and to points along the Canadian Shield. His prairie landscapes are derived from the last fifteen years of summers in the Qu'Appelle Valley in Saskatchewan, the home province of his wife, Marita.
He has exhibited his work throughout Canada. His art is held in private collections in Canada, the United States and Europe. He has received several provincial arts awards and a significant Canada Council Award. He presently lives in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Selected C.V.
EDUCATION
B.Ed. Visual Arts University of Toronto, 1992
M.F.A. Visual Arts York University, 1984
B.F.A. Visual Arts University of Regina, 1982
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
The University Club, U of R , 2013
Last Mountain Kake Art Gallery, Regin Beach, 2009
Saskatchewan Science Center, Regina, 1994
Eye Level Gallery, Halifax, 1987
Mercer Union, Toronto, 1986
IDA Gallery, Toronto, 1984
Norman MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina, 1982
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Collection of University Club StaFF , U of R , 2017
Letterbox Gallery, Lumsden, Saskatchewan, 2005 -2008
Erindale Art Gallery, University of Toronto, 1990
ES 2 Gallery, University of Waterloo, 1986
Pauline McGibbon Cultural Center, Toronto, 1984
IDA Gallery, Toronto, 1982
IDA Gallery, Toronto, 1983
Norman MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina, 1981
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Katz, Milena. Parkhurst Exchange, Montreal, February, 2005
Collins, Michael. Art Review and Theory, Toronto, 1987
Lean, Cheryl. CBC Radio, "Mainstreet", Halifax, Nov. 5, 1987
Barnard, Elissa. The Halifax Chronicle Herald, Dec. 16, 1987
McGrath, Jerry. Vanguard Magazine, Oct. / Nov. 1986
AWARDS
Ontario Arts Council, Artist in Schools Program, 1983-1990
Canada Council, B - Grant, 1988
Canada Council, Project Grant, 1987
Ontario Arts Council, Material Assistance Grant, 1986,1987
Saskatchewan Arts Board, Travel Assistance Grant, 1982
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Art Instructor, City of Regina, Community Program, 1995
Teacher, North York Board of Education, 1992/93
Artist in Schools, North York Board of Education, 1990-84
Drawing Instructor, Koffler Center of the Arts, Toronto, 1988, 1989
Project Instructor, Ontario Games for the Physically Disabled, 1987
Sessional Instructor, University of Waterloo, 1985/86 (Drawing/Painting)
Instructor, York University, 1983/84 (Studio Elective)
Graduate Assistant, York University, 1982/83 (Lecture Series)
Instructor, University of Regina, 1982 (Studio/Theory)
GUEST LECTURES
North York Board of Education, 1990
York University, 1989, 1987
Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, 1987
B.Ed. Visual Arts University of Toronto, 1992
M.F.A. Visual Arts York University, 1984
B.F.A. Visual Arts University of Regina, 1982
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
The University Club, U of R , 2013
Last Mountain Kake Art Gallery, Regin Beach, 2009
Saskatchewan Science Center, Regina, 1994
Eye Level Gallery, Halifax, 1987
Mercer Union, Toronto, 1986
IDA Gallery, Toronto, 1984
Norman MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina, 1982
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Collection of University Club StaFF , U of R , 2017
Letterbox Gallery, Lumsden, Saskatchewan, 2005 -2008
Erindale Art Gallery, University of Toronto, 1990
ES 2 Gallery, University of Waterloo, 1986
Pauline McGibbon Cultural Center, Toronto, 1984
IDA Gallery, Toronto, 1982
IDA Gallery, Toronto, 1983
Norman MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina, 1981
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Katz, Milena. Parkhurst Exchange, Montreal, February, 2005
Collins, Michael. Art Review and Theory, Toronto, 1987
Lean, Cheryl. CBC Radio, "Mainstreet", Halifax, Nov. 5, 1987
Barnard, Elissa. The Halifax Chronicle Herald, Dec. 16, 1987
McGrath, Jerry. Vanguard Magazine, Oct. / Nov. 1986
AWARDS
Ontario Arts Council, Artist in Schools Program, 1983-1990
Canada Council, B - Grant, 1988
Canada Council, Project Grant, 1987
Ontario Arts Council, Material Assistance Grant, 1986,1987
Saskatchewan Arts Board, Travel Assistance Grant, 1982
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Art Instructor, City of Regina, Community Program, 1995
Teacher, North York Board of Education, 1992/93
Artist in Schools, North York Board of Education, 1990-84
Drawing Instructor, Koffler Center of the Arts, Toronto, 1988, 1989
Project Instructor, Ontario Games for the Physically Disabled, 1987
Sessional Instructor, University of Waterloo, 1985/86 (Drawing/Painting)
Instructor, York University, 1983/84 (Studio Elective)
Graduate Assistant, York University, 1982/83 (Lecture Series)
Instructor, University of Regina, 1982 (Studio/Theory)
GUEST LECTURES
North York Board of Education, 1990
York University, 1989, 1987
Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, 1987