Owen Parnell
Owen Parnell is an Artist and Acupuncturist, practicing Visual Arts for himself and Healing Arts for the greater community. Owen’s creative process is one which follows intuition and impulse. Much of this work echoes landscape and nature, emphasizing the fractaline qualities of flora and fauna. Balancing control and lack of control to create a visually interesting conversation between the two. Owen uses automatism, intent on observing the patterns that come forth, altering those patterns, and seeing how the difference is integrated into the whole.
In sculpture Owen contrasts precise geometries, reminiscent of R. Buckminster Fuller, with rough edges and loose ends. His painting, on the other hand, contains flowing transitions between abstract geometric forms and representations of the microcosm, the macrocosm, and the in-between. Owen often describes his painting as Semi-Abstract, as it is meant to be seen somewhere in between representation of form, and simply paint on a canvas.
Owen finds inspiration from sacred art traditions, and art that serves a cultural and spiritual purpose as well as being considered on a visual and conceptual level. Though raised far from their traditional territories, Owen is of Neihiyaw (Cree) ancestry, and a member of the Métis Nation of British Columbia. For several years he apprenticed with the late Coast Salish carver Curtis Christie. Owen has been part of a number of different Indigenous Art Projects, including artist-run centre exhibitions, private, and city-commissioned murals.
After graduating from Camosun College’s Visual Arts Program in 2014, Owen acquired his acupuncture license, and became a father. He is now creating a life that holds space for both his acupuncture and art careers.
CV
Education
2014 Diploma of Visual Arts, Camosun College, Victoria, BC, Canada
2 year full-time visual art program featuring a broad range of studio practice.
Solo Exhibitions
2023 Experiments in Shape & Colour – TAOH Wellness – Cobble Hill, BC
2021 New and Old Works – Spiral Cafe, Victoria, BC Canada
2020 Dihedral – Ministry of Casual Living, Victoria, BC, Canada
Debut solo show one week before lockdowns
geometric semi-abstract, drawing, painting and sculpture.
Select Group Exhibitions
2019 Wet’suwet’en Solidarity Fundraiser – Open Space Gallery, Victoria, Canada
Silent Art Auction/Dance Party, Organized by Nicole Neidhardt and Eli Hirtle
2014 Integrate Arts Festival – Peddle Box Mobile Art Gallery
A bike trailer rig of stretched phosphorescent fabric that hopped from gallery to gallery, allowing participants to create ephemeral artwork with light
Gifts from Our Ancestors – Open Space Gallery, Victoria, Canada
Organized by Sarah Hunt and the Indigenous Youth Artists Showcase
2013 Shape Shifters Pop Up Shop – Rifflandia HQ, Victoria, BC, Canada
Organized by Sarah Hunt and the Indigenous Youth Arts Showcase in collaboration with Open Space
2012 Labyrinth Gallery – Shambhala Music Festival
Salmo, BC, Canada Organized by Dream Temple
Out of the Grey – 1st Year Art Show, Camosun College Victoria BC Canada
Dream Temple Gallery – Entheos Gathering 2012, Boston Bar, BC, Canada
Professional Experience
‘14 – Present Freelance Visual Art & Graphic Design
‘18 – 2023 Education Assistant to Art Student with Autism Camosun College Visual Arts Program
‘12 – Present Co-Founder/Director, ART IT UP Interactive, Victoria, BC, Can2015 Rock Bay Mural Project – Butch Dick & Darlene Gait – rockbaymural.com
Related Experience
‘10 – Present Interactive Art Installation + Live Painting
2023 – Otherworld – “Paint with Light” – multi-coloured phosphorescent panels
Lamplight Festival – “Paint with Light” Laketown Ranch – Youbou, BC
Reunion – “Paint with Light” + Live Painting – Sunset Labs, Victoria, BC
(see secondary document for complete list)
2019 Open Space Gallery, Gallery Assistant, Wet’suwet’en Solidarity Fundraiser
2016 – 2018 Workshop Assistant – Facilitate Painting and Printmaking workshops for
elementary school kids as part of the non-profit ArtsREACH
2016 Centennial Square Stairwell Mural w/ Joanne Thomson, Beth Threlfall, & Jennifer Johnson
2013 Open Space Gallery, gallery assistant – opening of “Concrete Scores”
Awards
2014 Eula Howard Award
award for an aboriginal student involved in their community
2013 Metchosin International Summer School of Art, Full Bursary
1 week of Acrylic & Mixed Media study
2010 Aboriginal Studio Arts, Full Scholarship Recipient.
1 month of Foundations and Indigenous Art study at Emily Carr University
Publications
2014 Cino, Kate “Gifts at Open Space” Art Openings.ca
Mada, Kate “When A Rock Looks Like a Tit katemada.wordpress.com
Name
Position
Description for this block. Use this space for describing your block. Any text will do. Description for this block. You can use this space for describing your block.