Devon Marinac
About
Devon Marinac (b. 1988) is a Canadian visual artist who was born in North Vancouver and currently resides in Toronto. Marinac’s practice involves drawing, collage, painting, assemblage, sculpture, and bookmaking, often in combination. His work possesses a strong graphic sensibility through a highly detailed figurative style, which translates and mutates according to the medium being used. While the images are often fantastical, the pieces are nevertheless rooted in day-to-day locales, observations, and autobiography.
Described by The Comics Journal as “prolific” and “always new,” Marinac’s self-published books typically feature repeating gesticulating characters and turns of phrase syncopated in ever different and poetic ways. These highly sought-after publications, which often feature a blend of printed and original collage, can be found throughout North America and Europe.
Through recycling and reimagining found materials, Marinac uses art as a vehicle to understand his own life and the world around him, often in poignant and comical ways. Marinac has been both influenced by and involved in the Canadian drawing movement. Marinac finds merit and influence in the Funk art of the bay area, COBRA, genre fiction, and a multitude of twentieth-century writers. Marinac’s work has been reviewed in the Comics Journal, published in BOMB Magazine, and exhibited throughout Canada and in New York City.


CV
Solo Exhibitions: 2024 “The Spin of the Whirled,” Van Der Plas Gallery, NYC 2021 “Holistic Barbarian,” Van Der Plas Gallery, NYC 2020 “On Tipsy Tippy Portmanteaus,” The Run Gallery, Toronto 2016 “Mutual Eureka,” Pamenar, Toronto 2015 “Life Pronto,” Weird Things, Toronto 2013 “Get Off Your Hi Coarse and Give a Proper Greeting,” Weird Things, Toronto Two Person Exhibitions: 2023 “No Fric(k)tion,” with Jason McLean, Van Der Plas Gallery, NYC 2022 “Soapbox Pillow,” with Jason McLean, Van Der Plas Gallery, NYC 2020 “Cured (Canadian Bacon),” with Jason McLean, Van Der Plas Gallery, NYC 2013 “Two Astronauts,” with Neal Armnstrong, Hashtag Gallery, Toronto Group Exhibitions: 2024 “Symphony in B Major,” James Rotman Fine Art, Toronto 2023 “LES Winterfest,” Van Der Plas Gallery, NYC 2023 “Mind Mapping and Other Stories,” Van Der Plas Gallery, NYC 2023 “Stereo Sights and Sounds,” Marc Straus Gallery, NYC 2023 “Solo with Friends,” Theater for the New City, NYC 2022 “Royal Flush,” Van Der Plas Gallery, NYC 2021 “Northern Souls,” Van Der Plas Gallery, NYC 2020 “Miniature Show,” St.Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre, St.Thomas 2018 “Valentines Show,” Weird Things, Toronto 2014 “Flood Relief for Serbia and the Balkans,” Gladstone Hotel, Toronto 2012 “Hotel Gnosis,” The Whitehouse, Toronto 2012 “ Aram, Marinac, Plum and Zazai,” The Peach Gallery, Toronto 2011 “Critical Beatdown,” Samuel J. Zacks Gallery, York University, Toronto Book Fairs 2021 Edition Toronto, Toronto 2017 CanZine, Toronto 2016 Expozine, Montreal 2016 Zine Dream 9, Toronto 2015 Zine Dream 8, Toronto Publications 2018 “Your Favourite Regular,” BOMB Magazine Murals 2021 The Tail of the Junction, Toronto
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