Master of Fine Art University of Oregon
Bachelor of Fine Art Concordia University
Master of Architecture University of Manitoba
Bachelor of Environmental Studies University of Manitoba                                                                                                                                           

John Graham teaches in Art & Art History in the School for the Arts. John is an Associate Professor, and the Chair of Printmaking/Digital Media. John Graham has supervised the thesis work for past MFA and BFA students. 

John Graham is a Canadian multidisciplinary visual artist and independent filmmaker. He began his professional creative career studying architecture and working as an architect before shifting his focus to developing an art practice spanning multiple media.

John’s ever-diversifying visual art practice includes printmaking, digital collages, painting, drawing, artist’s books, and art installations. John has been the recipient of dozens of awards, grants, scholarships, fellowships and prizes. His visual art has been widely exhibited in over 210 solo, duo and group exhibitions in North America, Europe and Asia. He has also participated in dozens of artist residencies worldwide. 

As an award-winning independent filmmaker, John has been the writer, producer, director, art director, and editor of 11 short films that span many genres including experimental cinema, dramatic narratives, video-dance and stop-motion animation. Ten of these poetic art films have been screened at over 215 film festivals, gallery venues and awards ceremonies in over 35 countries. Many of these film projects have won awards including ‘Best Experimental Film’, ‘Best International Film’ and ‘Best Symbolic Film’ as well as receiving many nominations for awards. 

John’s visual artwork has been acquired by public and private art collections including the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Canada Council Art Bank, the Loto-Québec Corporation, the National Bank of Canada, the City of Ottawa Art Collection, the National Library of Canada, the National Library of Québec, and the New York Public Library.

A R T I S T     S T A T E M E N T

I seek to embody a sense of reverent pluralism in my work. Reverence is commonly reserved for one focus. This is unlike the reverence that I feel for a multiplicity of interests. The visual subject of my work remains pluralistic and polymorphous. My artwork does not reflect me but rather, it is an extension of myself. It is my intention that the ongoing metaphorical references that occur in my work gently attempt to expand upon the frontiers of meaning. 

My creative interests easily shift amongst media. In all processes, I select and assemble ideas, and visual material abiding to symbolic connotations and intuitive appeal. The inspiration of many of these dreamlike images has evolved in organic processes. My creative process in all media embraces much improvisation. While I create images, I recognize the surfacing of forms and hybrid figures that may blend with fragments of memory and inner visions of my mind’s eye. Many of these images embody metaphorical relationships, mythological storytelling and narrative qualities. All of this imagery is intended to somehow reflect the complex nature of interior knowledge.

1) ART 151.3 Introductory Printmaking 

2) ART 251.3 Intermediate Printmaking 

3) ART 326.3/327.3 and 476.3/477.3 Printmaking III and IV

4) ART 450.3/451.3/452.3/453.3/Special Studies in Printmaking 

5) ART 851.3/852.3 Printmaking (graduate) 

6) BFA Thesis supervisor & MFA committee member & supervisor

Dream aesthetics and psychology Mythological, allegorical and metaphorical visual storytelling Safer Printmaking and Multi-disciplinary Art Short experimental films Visual poetics and Expressionism

As a multi-disciplinary artist, I enjoy shifting through different media to explore new artistic and conceptual ideas. New projects blend and integrate my skills and artistic sensibilities with my background as a visual artist and experimental filmmaker. 

The subject of my artistic research continues to remain pluralistic, fluid and polymorphous. My artwork does not reflect me but rather are an extension of myself. It is my intention that the ongoing metaphorical references that occur in my work gently expand upon the frontiers of meaning. The alchemical circuit and integration of our conscious thoughts, imaginary perceptions, and subconscious dream information are one of the most fulfilling ways in which to enrich our worldly experiences

It is my goal in my art practice to metaphorically explore poetic visuals, subconscious dream symbols, psychological tone and symbolism in projects. My artwork is inspired by the notion that dreams know the truth of the world. New projects are infused with motifs from the interior symbolic life of inner worlds and unpredictable juxtapositions that interest all Surrealists. For me, collaging involves the intuitive building of spontaneous juxtapositions that create open relationships. In all of my art-making processes, I explore a desire to continually inter-relate with the knowledge of the subconscious mind. 

1997-1999 Master of Fine Art University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA

1990-1994 Bachelor of Fine Arts Concordia University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada

1983-1986 Master of Architecture University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

1980-1983 Bachelor of Environmental Studies University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada