Toronto painter Jason Gringler has had numerous exhibitions since graduating from OCAD in 2001. His work is in collections overseas, in Canada and in the United States. A first-time Toronto Arts Council grant recipient in 2006, we recently asked him about being a visual artist in Toronto.

Toronto painter Jason Gringler is largely influenced by urban architecture in his work. He takes formal architectural structures and then, through the painting process, breaks them down achieving a futuristic abstraction.

Image: Monument to Things Gained - Mom courtesy Jason Gringler

Gringler layers acrylic paint, collaged elements and spray paint, capturing it all behind a slick surface of a high-gloss, resin-coated finish. These impossible worlds he creates are perhaps grounded by the titles he gives each painting. Titles such as “Small Forest Scene,” “I am Living on an Island” and “Falling Down” not only give the viewer a context for his work but they also add another dimension to each painting. Currently, Gringler is living and working in New York in an effort to build his international profile as an artist. When asked about the challenges faced by a Toronto visual artist he says: “I think we have a lot of interesting work being made [in Toronto] that needs to find its way into a larger context; an increased dialogue with a global art community.” He notes that many artists have to leave Toronto, and Canada, to achieve this.

However, Gringler notes that there are some great opportunities here for artists.

In 2005 Gringler was named a semi-finalist in the RBC Painting Competition; a competition which recognizes the talent of emerging professional visual artists in Canada.

“I think what RBC is doing is important,” he says, noting that the competition helps give Canadian painters profile and the opportunity to have their work hung in major institutions across Canada.
While the average income of an artist in Canada is approximately $23,500 (the overall labour force is approximately $29,600)* winning the RBC Painting Competition’s top prize of $25,000 is a golden opportunity for a painter.

In 2006, Gringler was a first-time, Toronto Arts Council grant recipient. When asked what receiving the grant meant to him, Gringler responded that he appreciated the support to continue his work, acknowledging the value of being recognized by the city and his peers.

Gringler is represented by Angell Gallery in Toronto. For more information and to see an on-line gallery of his work go to: www.bleachmodern.com

- Kim Ashby

*Hill Strategies Research Inc. Statistical Insights on the Arts, Vol3, No2 www.hillstrategies.com