Progression, 77''x55'', acrylic and acrylic gel transfers on linen, 2020
Born in Montréal, Canada (1976), Etienne Zack is a US and Canadian contemporary artist. He was based in Vancouver, Canada from 1997-2008, in Los Angeles between 2010 and 2016, and now lives and works in Washington State, US. Zack studied at Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver (2000), Concordia University (1997) and College St-Laurent in Montreal (1996).
Etienne Zack’s paintings serve as code-like environments where paint, language, text, image, history, and architecture merge. He views painting as a dynamic writing and reading technology, intricately reflecting the depths of the human mind. His paintings contemplates the remarkable endurance of the language of painting in synthesizing multiple realities.
Zack’s work can be seen through the lens of the painting medium itself, while references to history, literature and architecture are also common terrain. His recent works explore digital images, data gathering, and cloud technology's impact on our memory and reality.
Noteworthy solo exhibitions include – ‘’Etienne Zack: Those Lacking Imagination Take Refuge In Reality’’ Esker Foundation, Canada; ‘’Etienne Zack’’ Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal; ‘’According to This’’ Bergen Kunsthall, Norway; ‘’Etienne Zack’’ Thomas Dane Gallery, England; ‘’Vision Machine’’ Surrey Art Gallery, Canada and ‘’Lingering Shadows’’ Blackwood Gallery University of Toronto, Canada. His work has been included in numerous exhibitions at Asia Art Center – Taiwan, Hefei Contemporary Museum, Hefei - China, Mass MoCA,- USA, National Gallery of Canada – Canada, Montréal Museum of Art – Canada, The Model Museum – Ireland, Vancouver Art Gallery – Canada, Norwich Gallery - England amongst others.
Zack’s paintings are collected by institutions and museums including the National Gallery of Canada (five paintings), Art Bank of Canada, Vancouver Art Gallery (three paintings), Montreal Fine Arts Museum, Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (two paintings), National Museum of Fine Arts of Quebec, Surrey Art Gallery, Glenbow Museum, City of Montréal, Zabludowicz Collection (London, England) and The Model Museum (Sligo, Ireland) to name a few.. His work can also be found in numerous corporate and private collections in the United States, Europe, Scandinavia, Hong Kong, Beijing, Ireland, England and across Canada.