Brian Kipping

Brian Kipping (1953-2007)

Brian Kipping was a Canadian artist and blues musician. He was born in Edmonton and later moved to Toronto, where he attended the Ontario College of Art (now OCAD). He graduated in 1974 and was one of the recipients of the Ontario College of Art Medal. From 1975 to 1977 Kipping served as the director of Gallery 76, a student art gallery associated with the school, during which time he curated various shows. Kipping’s first solo show was in 1974 at this gallery. In 1979, Kipping was a founding member of YYZ Artists' Outlet, which was established for the purpose of exhibiting art not shown in commercial galleries and institutions. Kipping's work was featured in approximately 150 national and international exhibitions. Commencing in 1978 and for the balance of his career, Kipping was represented by the Bau-Xi Gallery, based in Vancouver and Toronto. In 1987, Kipping and fellow Toronto artist John McKinnon won a public competition to create a work to celebrate the City of Toronto. The mosaic work, Views to The City, was completed in 1988, and covers two walls leading into the offices of city councilors at Toronto City Hall. In 2004, Kipping was diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, from which he died on April 1, 2007. He continued to paint and play with the Paul James Band until his death.

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