Kevin DeForest


Region: Brandon Manitoba
Generation:
Born 1962, Winnipeg Manitoba


Bio

Kevin Ei-ichi DeForest is a visual and multimedia artist. He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Japanese and Swiss parents. He studied architecture (Bachelor of Environmental Studies, 1983) and fine art (BFA, 1986) at the University of Manitoba before getting an MFA from Concordia University in 1994. He was also a Mombusho (Japan Ministry of Education) scholarship recipient, studying at Kyoto Seika University between 1997 and 1998. Deforest has exhibited nationally and internationally in the United States and Europe. He is currently Associate Professor in the Department of Visual and Aboriginal Art at Brandon University in Brandon, Manitoba.

Artist Statement

My practice explores the representation of a hybrid identity, focusing on my half-Japanese heritage. It takes on a playful, open-ended approach that is rooted in discourse around cultural identity and difference. I take a diverse media approach, working with painting, drawing, sculptural installation, audio art and video; I’ve also produced critical writing and curating around contemporary Japanese art. My artwork takes a personal perspective that draws from tradition, family and popular culture references to posit an appreciation and critique of Eurasian culture that does justice to its many-faceted state of flux.
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