Forrest Kirk (b. 1975, San Diego, USA) graduated from the California State University, Los Angeles in 2008 where he is now based. Forrest Kirk creates his vibrant and powerful paintings using a wide variety of media, ranging from oils to fabric, gorilla glue and bubble wrap. His images often reference psychological uncertainty and anxiety arising from underlying power structures, specifically those experienced in contemporary urban environment. Kirk also seeks to address the plight of developing individuality within the context of a shared struggle, symbolising empowerment and exploring a sense of purpose.
Solo Exhibitions include The Owl of Minerva Flies at Dusk, Vielmetter Gallery, Los Angeles, CA (2023), Beneath No One, Rebecca Camacho Presents, San Francisco, CA (2023), Temple Run, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London, UK (2022); A Villain’s Origin Story, Marianne Boesky Gallery, Aspen, US (2021); Blind Tiger, Gavlak Gallery, West Palm Beach, FL (2021); 9 Fists, Parrasch Heijnen Gallery, Los Angeles, CA (2020); Bed-Stuy Art residency, Brooklyn, NY (2019); Body Count, Chimento Contemporary, Los Angeles, United States (2018).
Group Exhibitions include Where the Wild Roses Grow, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Schloss Görne, Berlin, Germany (2023); The Bunker ArtSpace, Palm Beach, FL (2023), New Acquisitions show, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, USA (2022); Armory Art Fair New York, Rebecca Camacho Gallery, USA (2022); Facing the Sun, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, Berlin, Germany (2021); Show 2, Airfield Gallery, Kingston, NY (2021); In Situ, Marianne Boesky Gallery, New York, NY (2021); Devil’s In The Detail, Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery, London (2020); Show me the Signs, Blum & Poe, Los Angeles, CA (2020); Artist for New York, Hauser Wirth, New York, NY (2020); Behind Face, Gallery Platform, LA (online) (2020); FOG Art Fair, San Francisco, United States (2020); Untitled Art Fair, Miami, United States (2019); Benefit Auction, JOAN, Los Angeles, United States (2019); Plan B Art Fair, EC Lina Gallery, New York, United States (2019); Spring Break Art Fair, EC Lina Gallery, Los Angeles, United States (2019); Rema Mann Hort Foundation Auction, Wekartz, Los Angeles, United States (2019); Protest, Noun, Torrance Art Museum, United States (2019); Killers Three, Post, Los Angeles, Unites States (2018); Aztlanization, Center for Arts, Pomona, United States (2018); Make Your Mark, Museum of Contemporary Art, Marin Novato, United States (2018); Barker Hanger, ODD Ark LA, Los Angeles, United States (2018); Altered Book, Museum of Contemporary Art- Marin Novato, United States (2018); Rema Mann Hort Foundation Auction, Nicodem Gallery, Los Angeles, United States (2018); Contemporary Landscape, Museum of Contemporary Art- Marin Novato, United States (2017-2018); Drawn Together, Art Share LA Gallery, Los Angeles, United States (2017-2018); Grand Opening, DSR Studios, Los Angeles, United States (2017-2018).
Highlights and Collections
Kirk’s work can be found in prominent public collections, including Hammer Museum, Los Angeles, United States; Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, United States; Santa Barbara Museum of Art, United States; Virginia Museum of Fine Art, Richmond, VA. In 2021 Kirk was the winner of the American Academy of Arts & Letters- Purchase Award.