Born: 1972
Lives: Montreal, Canada
“Nature is a setting that fits equally well a comic or a mourning piece.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Montreal artist Heidi Daehler creates representational works that situate human and animal subjects, and/or landscapes in emotional or existential contexts. Her latest paintings are small scale and intimate, slightly unreal views into larger worlds. We see through abstracted portals like in a dream, or a distant memory, but these could also be protective barriers or something more ominous encroaching. The figure/ground relationship is not straightforward, but the longing for reconnection is real. A desire for the paradoxically soothing and frightening natural world is present, and they are also a tribute to what we are inextricably linked to. Ultimately, these works are metaphors for inner life which in turn is affected by the fragility of where we come from. It’s an exploration of the many manifestations of our own internal wildness or “nature”. Are we closer to it by means of these openings, or do they create more distance? One can only hope that the connection is not broken beyond repair.
Heidi Daehler has exhibited her works in solo and group shows in and about Montreal and New York, and has completed dozens of commissioned paintings. She Her works can be found in numerous private collections across Canada, the U.S., the U.K. and Mexico. Daehler holds a BFA in Studio Arts and a BA in Psychology (Concordia, 2006 and 1997).
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2016 Something Tangible, General 54, Montreal, Canada
2011 Do you miss me?, Wilder & Davis Gallery, Montreal, Canada
2010 General 54, Montreal, Canada
2008 Central Stamp and Seal, Montreal, Canada
2006 Peace Art Gallery, Belgo Building, Montreal, Canada
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2019 Regarding the Wild, Chashama Space to Present: One Brooklyn Bridge Park, New York, USA
2018 The P Show, The Long Haul Gallery, Montreal, Canada
Trou de Ver//Wormhole, YMUNO Gallery, Montreal, Canada
Festival Soir: Lou, Montreal, Canada
Centre Hermitage, Georgeville, Canada
Art Ailé, Studio Georgeville, Georgeville, Canada
Duo Exhibit, Monastiraki-Le petit monastère, Montreal, Canada
2017 The O Show, The Long Haul Gallery, Montreal, Canada
Le Corps Humain, Studio Georgeville, Georgeville, Canada
Timeraiser 150, Au Sommet Place Ville Marie, Montreal, Canada
2016 Scary Monsters and Super Creeps, The Long Haul Gallery, Montreal, Canada
The N Show, The Long Haul Gallery, Montreal, Canada
Centerfold 9, Nuwrk, Montreal, Canada
Face to Face, Studio Georgeville, Georgeville, Canada
Timeraiser Montreal, 5th Edition, Montreal, Canada
2015 The M Show, The Long Haul Gallery, Montreal, Canada
Galerie Fringe 2015, Montreal, Canada
2014 The L Show, The Long Haul Gallery, Montreal, Canada
Timeraiser Montreal, 3rd Edition, Montreal, Canada
2013 Timeraiser Montreal, 2nd Edition, Montreal, Canada
2012 The J Show, The Long Haul Gallery, Montreal, Canada
2011 Petit Sacré, AB Gallery, Montreal, Canada
2009 Winter Show at Interstice, Montreal, Canada
2008 Photo Op, Plum Gallery, Montreal, Canada
Food for Thought, Club Le Social, Montreal, Canada
Ferment, The Long Hall, Montreal, Canada
2007 Pindemonium, Articule, Montreal, Canada
2005 Menagerie, Art en Majuscule, Montreal, Canada
Infinité…Les Objets, VAV Gallery, Montreal, Canada
2004 Trembling Ground, Museo Civico D’Arte Contemporanea, Casacalenda, Italy
2003 JACASS, John Abbott College, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Canada
1994 Art Rental Collection, Stewart Hall Art Gallery, Pointe Claire, Canada
EDUCATION
2003-2006 BFA (with Distinction), Studio Art, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
2001-2003 Personalized full-time studies in the Fine Arts, John Abbott College, Point Claire, Canada
1992-1997 BA (with Distinction), Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
AWARDS, DISTINCTIONS, RESIDENCIES
2018 Vermont Studio Centre Residency, Vermont, USA
Merit-based Artist Grant ($1500USD) Vermont Studio Centre Residency, Vermont, USA
2011 Friday’s favourite four (paintings of the week) Belgo Report, weekly online magazine
2005 In-Course Bursary
2004 Millennium Scholarship Award, Canadian Millennium Scholarship Foundation
2004 In-Course Bursary; Golden Key International Honour Society Induction
2003 Millennium Scholarship Award, Canadian Millennium Scholarship Foundation
2001 Elected jury member for John Abbott College graduation exhibition