2018-2020 I started these colour works by spontaneously drawing out horizontal and vertical lines in thin willow charcoal on bright white grounds. I could then erase and redraw the lines up or down, to the left or right, adding or subtracting until a free-flowing feeling was attained. I painted each shape in multiple layers, adjusting tone, contrast, saturation and hue using thin coats of oil colour. For me it expressed an inner vibration, as if I were an instrument playing out a natural rhythm.
Night Cities, oil on canvas paintings, 2005-2007
Colour Sensations, oil on linen paintings, 2018-2019
JOSEPH SIDDIQI
(b. 1972, Canada)
Living and working in Tiohtià:ke/Montréal, QC
EDUCATION
2004 M.F.A. Painting, Boston University, Boston, MA
1999 B.F.A. Studio Art with Distinction, Concordia University, Montréal, QC
Année 4, École National des Beaux-Arts de Bourges, France (1997-98)
TEACHING
2007-Present Part-time Faculty, Concordia University, Montréal, QC
2018-2019 Instructor, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC
WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS
2023 Walking, Sitting, Drawing: Contemplative Practices for Improved Creativity, hosted by the Contemplative Pedagogies Initiative, Centre for Teaching and Learning Winterfest, Concordia University, Montréal, QC
2020 Mindful Art Workshop for Incoming Students, hosted by the Fine Arts Student Alliance (FASA), Fall Orientation Week, Concordia University, Montréal, QC
2020 Mindfulness with Fine Art, hosted by the Centre for Mindfulness-Based Research and Practices, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2015 New Paintings, Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON
2013 New Work, Galerie St-Laurent + Hill, Ottawa, ON
2011 Stories from the Inner-city, Galerie St-Laurent + Hill, Ottawa, ON
2009 Night Paintings, Newzones Gallery, Calgary, AB
2002 Visage paysage, Maison de la Culture Mercier, Montréal, QC
2000 Peinture, Galerie Luz, Montréal, QC
GROUP EXHIBITIONS & ART FAIRS
2022 Contemplations of Our Pandemic Journey, curated by Dr. Jennifer Stephens, Faculty of Health Disciplines, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB
2020 Deck the Walls! Newzones Gallery, Calgary, AB
2018 Art Toronto, with Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON
2017 Art Toronto, with Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON
2016 Art Toronto, with Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON
2015 Landscape/Cityscape, Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON
2015 Art Toronto, with Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON
2015 Preview 2015: Joe Fafard, Peter Harris, Andrew Hemmingway, Stu Oxley, Christopher Pratt, Joseph Siddiqi, Michael Thompson, Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON
2014 Hope, curated by Holly Fay, Art Gallery of Regina, Regina, SK
2014 Convocation Exhibit: Recent acquisitions from the collection of Lorraine Woollard, Athabasca University Main Building, Athabasca, AB
2014 Toronto International Art Fair, with Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON
2013 Toronto International Art Fair, with Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON
2012 Toronto International Art Fair, with Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON
2011 Tom Hopkins Memorial Exhibition, Battat Contemporary, Montréal, QC
2008 Grand Opening, Galerie St-Laurent + Hill, Ottawa, ON
2005 Night of 1,000 Drawings, Artists Space, New York, NY
2004 MFA Thesis Exhibition, Boston University 808 Gallery, Boston, MA
2003 The Art of Drawing, Concord Art Association, Concord, MA
2003 Fresh Paint, Copley Society of Art, Boston, MA
2003 Limited Edition Multiples, Galerie St-Laurent + Hill, Ottawa, ON
2002 Introductions: Michèle Drouin, John Kissick, Sarah Nind, Joseph Siddiqi, Newzones Gallery, Calgary, AB
2002 New Gallery Artists, Galerie St-Laurent + Hill, Ottawa, ON
2002 Landscape Painting, Studio 21 Fine Art, Halifax, NS
2001 RBC New Canadian Painting: Eastern Finalists, juried by Alex Colville, Gerald Ferguson, and Jan Peacock, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax, NS
2001 Mary Hayes, Joseph Siddiqi, Richard L. Studham, Galerie Luz, Montréal, QC
1998 Partcours, Église Saint-Pierre, Bourges, France
1997 Dressing The Line, Galerie 522, Belgo Building, Montréal, QC
GRANTS & AWARDS
2021 Concordia University Part-time Faculty Association, Professional Development Grant
2019 Concordia University Part-time Faculty Association, Professional Development Grant
2009 Canada Council for the Arts, Visual Arts, Production Grant
2004 Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation, Artist Grant
2003 Boston University, Dean's Scholar Award
2003 Boston University, Travel Grant to Madrid, Spain
2002 Boston University, Constantin Alajalov Graduate Scholarship
2002 Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, Visual Arts, Project Grant
2001 Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation, Artist Grant
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Andy Murdoch, “Video: Joseph Siddiqi takes his painting and drawing courses online,” Concordia News, August 19, 2020. https://www.concordia.ca/cunews/main/stories/2020/08/19/video-joseph-siddiqi-takes-his-painting-and-drawing-courses-online.html
Chris Hutchinson, In the Vicinity of Riches, Goose Lane Editions / icehouse poetry, 2020. Cover of poetry book.
K.I., “Siddiqi + Wendt: From Art Toronto last week …” Monochromatic Axonometric (blog), November 4, 2018. http://monochromatic-axonometric.blogspot.com/2018/11/siddiqi-wendt.html
Terence Corcoran, “Joseph Siddiqi: New Paintings,” Mira Godard Gallery, 2015. Exhibition text.
Jason Franz, ed., International Painting Annual 4, Manifest Press, 2015. 166, 168-9.
Hope, Art Gallery of Regina, 2014. Exhibition catalogue with text by curator, Holly Fay.
“2014 Convocation Exhibit,” Thomas A. Edge Archives and Special Collections, Athabasca University, 2014. Exhibition text, https://www.athabascau.ca/archives/online-exhibits/2014-convocation-exhibit.html
Chris Hutchinson, A Brief History of the Short-Lived, Nightwood Editions, 2012. Cover of poetry book.
Peter Simpson, “Siddiqi Shines at Galerie St-Laurent + Hill,” Ottawa Citizen - The Big Beat (blog), July 19, 2011.
Gaëtan Morin, ed., Le m@rketing: 2e édition, Chenelière Éducation Inc., 2010. Cover of textbook for School of Management, Université du Québec à Montréal.
Richard Rhodes, ed., “Preview: A Canada-wide guide to the season's best exhibitions,” Canadian Art, Vol. 26, No. 1, 2009. 35.
Susan Blackman, ed., “Collectors' Guide to Gallery Events.” Canadian Brushstroke Magazine, Vol. 11, January/February, 2009. 27.
Chris Hutchinson, Other People's Lives, Brick Books, 2009. Cover of poetry book.
Laurel MacMillan, ed., RBC Canadian Painting Competition: Ten Years, Friesens, 2008. 75.
Danielle Poisson, “Joseph Siddiqi,” MV Biographies: Petits mots sur la vie et le travail de personnes de grand intérêt (blog), December 7, 2008. http://noudanou2.blogspot.com/2008/12/siddiqi-joseph.html
Pam Klicki, “In the Galleries: The Moderns,” Where Calgary, Vol. 21, No. 4, 2002. 37.
Suzanne Dubuc, “Visage Paysage: Une exposition de Joseph Siddiqi,” Les Maisons de la Culture de la Ville de Montréal, janvier-février, 2002. Exhibition text.
The New Canadian Painting Competition 2001 / Le Concours de nouvelles peintures canadiennes de 2001, Canadian Art Foundation, 2001. Exhibition catalogue.
COLLECTIONS
Athabasca University Art Collection, Athabasca, AB
Canada Council Art Bank, Ottawa, ON
Colart Collection, Montréal, QC
Hotel Arts, Calgary, AB
Private collections