BIOGRAPHY
Kiré’s artistic journey began with his selection for the juried North Park Gallery exhibition in Victoria upon graduation. Shortly thereafter, a relocation to Hong Kong led to a distinguished 20-year career in art education. During this period, Kiré immersed himself in a wide spectrum of creative disciplines, experimenting with both Chinese and Western calligraphy, design, and installation art, among other forms.
In 2010, Kiré returned to Canada, marking a pivotal transition in both life and art. This period of transformation laid the groundwork for his development of L’automatisme Nouvelle—a personal evolution of the automatist tradition. By 2014, his practice had delved deeply into the psychological dimensions of art, using l’automatisme as a foundational discipline. His work began to oscillate between abstraction and representation, and in 2018, he started deciphering figurative forms from the spontaneous, rapid lines of his automatic drawings. Through this process, Kiré allows the subconscious to reveal its messages, resulting in works that are both authentic and psychologically resonant.
Complementing this approach, Kiré also began incorporating Asemic writing—adapting brushstrokes inspired by Chinese calligraphy—as a recurring element in his compositions. This integration of gestural, wordless script further enriches the visual language of his work, blurring the boundaries between text and image while deepening the connection to his cross-cultural influences.
Now based in Edmonton, Kiré has received significant recognition, including the 150 in 150 Award for Visual Arts in 2017 and an Art Grant from the Canada Council for the Arts in 2022. His participation in the 2023 Art Vancouver Fair further elevated his profile, leading to speaking engagements and podcast features. From 2025 to 2027, his work is featured in the travelling exhibition organized by the Art Gallery of Alberta.
Exhibition History (group)
Canadian National Exhibition, North Park Gallery, HK Visual Arts Center, HK Fringe Club, Philippe Charriol Foundation Exhibition, HK Arts Centre.
1984-1999
Artland Gallery, HK Fringe Club.
2000-2010
2020-2025
Art Gallery of St. Albert, Walterdale Playhouse, Art Gallery of St. Albert.
Art Society of Alberta Gallery, Stanley A. Milner Gallery, Crowsnest Pass Gallery (ASA), Art Gallery of Alberta (TREX).
2011-2020
Artland Gallery, HK Fringe Club.
Hong Kong Cultural Centre, HK Sheung Wan Civic Centre, HK Fringe Club Heineken Gallery.
1984-2010
2000-2010
Exhibition History (solo)
2011-2020
Walterdale Playhouse, Naess Gallery, Edmonton, Stanley A.Milner Gallery, Edmonton, Harris-Warke Gallery, Red Deer, Spruce Grove Art Gallery, Spruce Grove, Lotus Gallery, Edmonton.
Lotus Gallery, Edmonton, Winspear Centre, Edmonton, Art Vancouver Fair, Calgary Central Library.
2020-2025