Biography

Heather Gentleman is a symbolist painter who creates contemporary icons. The purpose of her work is to convey a message, which is achieved through the use of literary reference and poetry, fairy tales, mythology, and religious stories and figures. She earned an Honours BA in Fine Arts at the University of Guelph as well as studying at the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) and the University of London, England.

Heather's work has won several international arts awards and has been featured in several books, magazines, design annuals and media, in local, national and international media.

In addition to her many solo exhibits at Toronto galleries, Heather has participated in several group shows. Her own gallery/studio, Hag Atelier, in the Historic Distillery District is dedicted to the production, exhibition and teaching of Encaustic. Heather is also a board member of the artist run collective Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts in the Queen Street West Gallery District.

Selected Solo Exhibtis

2009, The Measure of a Little While, Red Fish Gallery, New York
2008, The Land of Nod, Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts, Toronto
2007, The Perfumed Garden, Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts, Toronto
2007, Milly, Maggy, Molly and May, Nathalie Rose, Toronto
2007, Echo, Hag Atelier, Toronto
2006, The Handless Maiden, Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts, Toronto
2005, Skeletons, Atelier 111, Toronto
2004, Monument to the Burning Times, ZYPR Gallery, Toronto
2004, By Rose, By Satiny Bosom, Wagner Rosenbaum Gallery, Toronto
2003, Glass Coffins, Hag Atelier, Toronto
2003, Eros, BdV, Toronto

Selected Group Exhibits

2009 Christmas Show, Balzacs, Distllery, Toronto
2009, Square Foot Show, AWOL, Toronto
2009, Go Figure, Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts, Toronto
2009, Portrayed, Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts, Toronto
2009, Bad Acid, Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts, Toronto
2009, (sub)Missive, Corridor Gallery, University of Leeds, England
2009, Toronto Artist Project, Liberty Grande, Toronto
2009, Salon, Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts, Toronto
2008, Recession-Proof Festive Season Art Show, Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts, Toronto
2008, Push/Pull, Octopus Project, Toronto
2008, Salon, Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts, Toronto
2007, Gimme Shelter, Red Fish Gallery, New York
2007, Inside/Out, Case Goods Building Distillery, Toronto
2007, Gallery Artists, Engine Gallery, Toronto
2007, 2 x 2 Show, Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts, Toronto
2007, 11 Members Show, Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts, Toronto
2006, Great Art, Glad Heart, Gladstone Hotel, Toronto
2006 Artist Open House, Currys Studios, Toronto
2006 Non Random Happenings, Toronto
2004 Creative Spaces, Artscape, Toronto
2003, Group Show, Pegasus Studios, Toronto
2003, Collage 2003, Toronto 2002, Art Detour, Toronto

Curated Exhibits

2009 Hag Atelier Social Club, Balzacs, Distllery, Toronto
2007, 11 Members Show, Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts, Toronto