Miya Turnbull- Visual Artist
EXHIBITIONS and PRESENTATIONS
PULP
April 6th- July 27th, 2024
Nelson Museum, Archives and Gallery
Nelson, BC
Curated by Arin Fay
PULP is the latest iteration in a series of medium-centric group exhibitions, focused on a common theme – in this case, paper – that highlights each artist’s interpretation of the medium. PULP opens Friday, April 5 at the Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery, and runs through July 27.
In the hands of artists from across Canada, the artworks that embody PULP speak to personal, regional, socio-political, and historic symbology; seen in the feminist forms of Gathie Falk and Badanna Zack, with an Indigenous perspective through the work of Edward Poitras, through the revolt and response of Mia Feuer, the masks of Miya Turnbull, and the poetic/historical approach of Susan Andrews Grace.
Exhibit photos taken by: Bobbi Barbarich
Illusive Masks
Group Exhibit
Curated by Feng Boyi
SEEWELL International Art Center, Fuzhou, China
June 15-Sept 15, 2024
Hiroto Kitagawa (Japan), Chen Nong (China), Chen Xuanrong (China), Cindy Sherman (USA), Bora Hong (Korea), Hong Hao (China), Líu Bolin (China), Miya Turnbull (Canada), Song Dong & Ma Qiusha & Hong Wei (China), Song Jiayi (China), Tang Yi (China), Xu Bing (China), Yue Minjun (China), Zeng Fanzhi (China), Zhang Wei (China), Zhang Yanzi (China), and Zong Ning (China)
Esker Foundation, Calgary, Alberta
"Like everything alive that we try to hold forever"
23 September - 17 December
Group exhibition featuring the artwork of Larry Achiampong & David Blandy, Diane Borsato, Stephanie Dinkins, Bridget Moser, Sondra Perry, and Miya Turnbull
"Like everything alive that we try to hold forever" brings together seven artists whose works, in a broad sense, reflect ways that our human bodies exist in relation to non-human objects and the complex, interconnected ways that these objects, through their systemic collection, consumption, and contextualization, impact our understanding of self and others.
-Curated by Elizabeth Diggon, Naomi Potter and Shauna Thompson
Any of the photos seen on the wall behind my mask table are the work of Diane Borsatto
This exhibit is also in conjunction with "Care and Wear: Bodies Crafted for Harm and Healing" and is curated by Brendan Griebel and Jude Griebel, 2 brothers who are an anthropologist and visual artist respectively. They are showing selections from their collection of surrogate bodies from the Museum of Fear and Wonder based in Bergen, Alberta.
Photograph credit: Blaine Campbell
Audio walkthrough about my masks and origami
UPDATE: THIS EXHIBIT IS NOW BEING PRODUCED AS A TOURING SHOW THROUGH INDEPENDENT CURATORS INTERNATIONAL: MORE INFO HERE
Miya Turnbull: Inward, Outwards
Solo Exhibition
Acadia University Art Gallery
Wolfville, NS
Nov 12th, 2022 - Feb 7th, 2023
Curated by Dr. Laurie Dalton
Read Exhibit Highlights: 3 Questions answered by Miya Turnbull
“Fashion for Bank Robbers” Exhibition
Maximiliansforum in Munich, Germany
August 3rd - October 16th, 2022
The exhibition presents hundreds of images and videos showing masks and mask-related works by 250 artists staged by photographers and cinematographers from all around the globe.
Curated by Carina Shoshtary
Read about the exhibit and a bit about my work here in Germany's biggest newspaper:
“Many Faces”, translated from German
Süddeutsche Zeitung, written by Sofia Pavlu. Aug 12th, 2022
Invitation card/poster designed by @studio_alexandra_rusitschka
Artists from left to right:
- @proxima2000taur
- @munstrumtheatre @ouh_loulou, @colombe2ailes & @elo.se_costumes
@la.comedie.humaine @delphinecottu
@monforttheatre
- @maiko_takeda @bryanhuynh
- and final image on the right is mine! @miyamask
In-Between
Solo exhibit at Eltuek Arts Centre, Gallery 203
Sydney, Nova Scotia (Unama'ki/Cape Breton)
Featuring over 50 self-portrait masks, photographs, videos and origami
July 6th-Sept 1st, 2022
Viewers will meet a multitude of faces throughout this space, each with a slightly different gaze yet recognizably consistent throughout. Miya draws from the traditional use of masks worn for disguise, transformation and protection as well as metaphors for persona, archetype, self-image and identity. Her masks are three-dimensional self-portraits, created by combining photography, sculpture and collage. She forms multiple iterations of her 'self' to explore her experiences, perceptions, mixed Japanese Canadian heritage and inner world, making the invisible, visible.
The masks show an uncanny resemblance to the artist, but that familiarity is often altered. Miya changes the placement or even erases select facial features and cuts up and re-attaches masks together in unusual combinations that may evoke a visceral reaction. By doing so, she examines herself from an outsider perspective and separates herself from her physical appearance. Miya's practice has expanded towards interaction and embodiment, highlighting the transformational powers of the masks when her body and energy bring them to life, this captured through video. As a group of self-portraits, she hopes the viewer sees a part of her in all, or perhaps 'in-between' all of them.
Nova Scotia Art Bank 2020-2021 exhibition at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia- western branch in Yarmouth, NS.
May 14th, 2022- ongoing
Opening Reception May 26th, 5:30pm
See the entire collection of the NS Art Bank online here
“Face to Face”
A solo exhibition of masks by Miya Turnbull
White River Junction, Vermont
April 1st- May 1st, 2022.
Photo Credits by Gallery Co-Director and fellow mask-maker: Ben Finer
“Self-Portrait”
Feb 18th-21st, 2022
Photo credit: Matt Roberts
Still Life with Fruit Gallery is an alternative gallery space run by art professors Chad Serhal and Katie Baczeski from Stetson University. This window space is attached to Tom's Auto Repair, a working garage in DeLand, Florida
Such a cool gallery space, especially lit up at night and I really liked having the trace outlines (referencing sashiko stitches) as a stand-in for my body.
"Behind Between Beyond"
Artwork by Roxanne Lafleur and Miya Turnbull
Gallery 101- Ottawa, Ontario
July 31st- August 28th,
Photo credits: Kristina Corre, Jenn Ully and Laura Margita
Opening reception: July 31st, 2-5pm EST
Artist Talk: Aug. 13th, 6-7pm EST
Artist Talk Recording Available Here
Firegrove Studio made a beautiful video of the art in the exhibit: see it here
"COMING OUT"
M.A.D.S. Art Gallery- Milan, Italy
International Group Exhibition
Digital art shown in a physical space with touchscreens throughout
Curated by Sofia Ronzi and others
June 25th- July 4th, 2021
Video clip taken from the gallery's website- time lapse video tour of the physical space
Click here to see the entire video of all the artwork as well as a digital exhibit/archive
"ALONE"
Acadia University Art Gallery- Wolfville, NS
Group Exhibition- featuring the work of 18 Nova Scotia Artists
Curated by Dr. Laurie Dalton
February 10th- April 13th, 2021
Click here to see the Virtual Exhibit as well as the Exhibition Archive
Scroll down to see more photos of my work in selected galleries
Solo and Two-Person Exhibits
2026- (Upcoming)- Title TBD. Eastern Edge Artist Run Centre; St. John's, NL.
2025- (Upcoming)- Title TBD. Cape Breton University Art Gallery; Sydney, N.S.
2024- REVEALED. Shintani Gallery; Toronto, ON.
2022-3-Inward, Outwards. Acadia University Art Gallery; Wolfville, N.S.
2022- In-Between. Gallery 203, Eltuek Arts Centre; Sydney, N.S.
2022- Face to Face. Kishka Gallery; White River Junction. VT.
2022- Self-Portrait. Still Life with Fruit Gallery; DeLand, FL.
2021- Behind Between Beyond. (Two-person exhibit with Roxanne Lafleur). Gallery 101; Ottawa, ON.
2020- Somewhere in Between. (Solo). Corridor Galley; Halifax, N.S.
2019- Blended: The Art of Miya Turnbull and Norman Takeuchi. (Two-person exhibit). Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre Gallery; Toronto, ON.
2008- Inside and Out. (Solo) ARTsPLACE; Annapolis Royal, N.S.
2008- Nikkei (Japanese Canadian) Masks and Dolls. (Two-person exhibit with Marjene Matsunaga Turnbull) Multicultural Centre Art Gallery; Stony Plain, AB
2007- Somewhere in Between. (Solo) X-changes Gallery; Victoria, B.C.
2007- Inside and Out. (Solo) Craig Gallery, Alderney Landing; Dartmouth, N.S.
2005- PhotoMasks. (Solo) Corridor Gallery; Halifax, N.S.
2004- PhotoMasks and Ki paintings. (Solo) OneLight Theatre Forum; Halifax, N.S.
2002- Selected PhotoMasks, Ki paintings and photographs. (Solo) Women’s Centre, Dalhousie University; Halifax, N.S.
1998- Kimiye: Selected photographs, masks and ink drawings. (Solo) Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens; Lethbridge, AB.
Group Exhibits/Presentations
2024- This Seems Personal. Confederation Centre Art Gallery; Charlottetown, PEI.
2024- Yokai. Shintani Gallery; Toronto, ON.
2024- Me, Myself and I. Pendulum Gallery; Vancouver, BC.
2024- Illusive Masks. SEEWELL International Art Center; Fuzhou, China.
2024- Pulp. Nelson Museum Archives and Gallery; Nelson, BC.
2023- Self-Portrait. Presented by HEIST. Creative Nova Scotia Awards Gala. Eastern Front
Theatre Rotunda/ Alderney Landing; Dartmouth, N.S.
2023- Like everything alive that we try to hold forever, Esker Foundation; Calgary, AB
2023- Shifting Tides (Films from Atlantic Canada) (Omote (面) (Film Version)): IMPACTfest; Moncton, NB
2023- Host, Bonavista Biennale. Lester Garland House; Trinity, NL.
2023- Asian Arts: Environments of Resilience and Sustainability, 2023 Media Arts Exhibition (10th edition Korean Film Festival Canada/ Arts East-West), (Omote (面) (Film Version)): Dazibao Black Box Theatre, Dazibao Gallery; Montreal, QC
2023- Omote (面) (Live Performances): collaboration with dance artist Shion Skye Carter. Co-presented by CanAsian Dance Festival Kickstart Program, Tangente and Festival Accès Asie; Montreal and Toronto.
2023- Creativity in the time of Covid-19, presented by Michigan State University. Frandor Sears Building; Lansing, MI
2022- I am what I am. The Chase Gallery (NS Public Archives); Halifax, N.S.
2022- Nova Scotia Art Bank Purchases, 2022. Anna Leonowens Gallery; Halifax, N.S.
2022- FIN (Atlantic International Film Festival) shorts program, (Omote (面)) . Cineplex Cinema Park Lane; Halifax, N.S.
2022- Fashion for Bank Robbers Exhibit; MaximiliansForum; Munich, Germany.
2022- Unveiled; The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge Museum, presented by the University of Kent; Canterbury, UK.
2022- Nova Scotia Art Bank Purchases, 2020-2021. Art Gallery of Nova Scotia- Western Branch; Yarmouth, N.S.
2022- Origami- The Art of Paper Folding. Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre Gallery; Toronto, ON.
2022- 01:43:29 (Video Art Exhibit). Domatio; Athens, Greece.
2022- The Body Language 2022. THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space, Venice, Italy.
2021- Liminal Nocturne- Art at Night. Beacon Project- MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning. Community Project- Halifax Central Library; Halifax, N.S.
2021- TRAHC's 33rd Annual Juried Exhibition. TRAHC/Regional Arts Center. Texarkana, TX.
2021- I am what I am. The Ice House Gallery; Tatamagouche, N.S.
2021- Coming Out. M.A.D.S. Art Gallery; Milan, Italy.
2021- Represent: New Portraiture National Juried Exhibition. Barrett Art Center; Poughkeepsie, NY.
2021- The Portrait Within. The House of Smalls; Swindon, UK.
2021- Alone. Acadia University Art Gallery; Wolfville, N.S.
2020- I am what I am. Craig Gallery, Dartmouth, N.S.
2020- Truro Art Society Sculpture Show. McCarthy Gallery, NSCC Campus; Truro, N.S.
2020- The Portrait Exhibit. Gallery 1313 (Process Gallery); Toronto, ON.
2020- New Beginnings. MMFI Gallery, Marigold Cultural Centre; Truro, N.S.
2019- Truro Art Society Sculpture Show. McCarthy Gallery, NSCC Campus; Truro, N.S.
2017- Monochrome. Dart Gallery; Dartmouth, N.S.
2014- Black and White Ball IV. Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts; Toronto, ON.
2012- Pre-Shrunk. Argyle Fine Art Gallery; Halifax, N.S.
2011- Pre-Shrunk. Argyle Fine Art Gallery; Halifax, N.S.
2011- Artsu Matsuri. Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre Gallery; Toronto, ON.
2010- For Keepsakes. ARTsPLACE; Annapolis Royal, N.S.
2009- Small Works. Craig Gallery; Dartmouth, N.S.
2008- Vinylview. Argyle Fine Art Gallery; Halifax, N.S.
2008- Donkey Skin. Modern Fuel Artist Run Centre; Kingston, ON.
2007- VANS (Visual Arts Nova Scotia) Mentorship Program Exhibit. Cultural Federations of Nova Scotia Building; Halifax, N.S.
2007- Self Portrait. Ross Creek Centre for the Arts; Canning, N.S.
2006- The Canadian Portrait: a Juried Exhibit from the Canadian Institute of Portrait Artists. Red Deer and District Museum and Archives; Red Deer, AB.
2006- Square Foot. AWOL Gallery; Toronto, ON.
2006- Art in a Box. Visual Arts Nova Scotia off-site venue (VIA Rail and Westin Hotel); Halifax, N.S.
2005- The Media Masquerade: The Inner Dialogue of Women in Masquerade. Centre for Art Tapes /Anna Leonowens Gallery; Halifax, N.S.
2005- Square Foot. AWOL Gallery; Toronto, ON.
2005- Return to Sender. Trap\door Artist Run Gallery; Lethbridge, Alberta.
2004- Annual Khyber Members Exhibit. Khyber Centre of the Arts; Halifax, N.S.
2004- The Red Show. Eastern Front Gallery; Toronto, ON.
2004- Artist’s Multiples. Khyber Centre of the Arts; Halifax, N.S.
2003- The Navy of Hell. Khyber Centre of the Arts; Halifax, N.S.
2003- Eyeopener IV. Eyelevel Gallery; Halifax, N.S.
2000- Pink. Gallery Potemkin; Lethbridge, AB.
2000- BFA Exhibit. University of Lethbridge Art Gallery; Lethbridge, AB.
Online Exhibits/Galleries/Presentations
2022 - International Portrait Film Festival. (Omote (面)). Festhome TV; Bulgaria.
2022- Human Faces and Figures. Los Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA
2022- Creatives on Fire. International Photo Art Exhibition. Self-Portraits On Fire Online Art Gallery.
2021- Origami- The Art of Paper Folding. Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre Gallery; Toronto, ON.
2021- Women and Masks: An Arts-Based Research Conference. Artist Talk. Presented by
Boston University- College of Fine Arts.
2021- Mixed Asian Media Festival. 2 films selected and screened (Documentary and New Media categories). Film festival online due to Covid.
2021- A Mask of One's Own. Authored and presented by Nataliya Tchermalykh (University of Geneva) at the Royal Anthropological Institute Conference in Visual Anthropology as part of the RAI Film Festival (normally occurring in Bristol, UK, but online this year due to Covid).
2021- Art Arena (Artist Showcase Vol. 4). Presented by Bus Stop Theatre Co-op; Halifax, N.S.
2021- Engaging Creativites: Art in the Pandemic. Presented by University of Alberta, Dept of Art and Design and RSC (Royal Society of Canada).
2021- Miya Turnbull: Behind the Mask. Video presented by Fashion For Bank Robbers, the 1st of a series about mask makers around the world.
2021- Identity. International Juried Group Exhibit. Art Fluent Online Art Gallery.
2020- Photophobia (Contemporary Moving Images Festival). Co-presented by: Art Gallery of Hamilton/Hamilton Artists Inc; Hamilton, ON. (2020 screening was online due to Covid-19).
Online Artist Directory- Aesthetica Magazine
Artleove Online Gallery/Artist Profiles.
ArtConnect
M.A.D.S. Digital Art Gallery
OnlineGallery.art
Japanese Canadian Artists Directory.
Visual Arts Nova Scotia- Artist's Pages.
14 Bells Fine Art Gallery.
More exhibition photos below (no particular timeline)
Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre Gallery exhibit "Blended" with Norman Takeuchi. Feb-March 2019. Curated by Bryce Kanbara. Toronto, Ontario.
Media Masquerade: The Inner Dialogue of Women in Masquerade. Group exhibition curated By Mireille Bourgeois and Marie Koehler. Presented by Center For Art Tapes and Anna Leonowens Gallery in Halifax, N.S. 2005
Solo exhibit at the Craig Gallery (Alderney Landing), Dartmouth, N.S. "Inside Out". 2007.
“Self-Portrait” video was on display in Venice, Italy, at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space and ITSLIQUID ART SPACE- Venice Grand Canal.
Jan 27th- Feb 18th, 2022.
“The Body Language 2022” is an international group exhibition of photography, painting, video art, installation/sculpture and performance art.
“THE BODY LANGUAGE analyzes the hidden parts of our identities, through an immerse experience inside the fascinating universe of the complex labyrinths or our consciousness.” -ITS LIQUID GROUP
I was delighted to be a part of Nocturne: Art at Night this year in Halifax and Dartmouth
October 13th-16th, 2021
The theme is Liminal -curated by Liliona Quarmyne
I presented 2 projects:
Beacon Project at the MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning in Dartmouth. The highlight will be a series of 7 masks, 3 of which are video projections.
and
Community Project at Halifax Central Library features 5 Inside Out Masks, visible in the window of the Lower Level Reading Room.
CBC News Clip about Nocturne, showing some of my artwork
Boston University hosted an arts research based conference called Women and Masks.
Inaugural Weekend: September 24th-25th, 2021
To see more about the conference and the archived recorded sessions, please visit their website.
My artist talk is a 20 min retrospective of my life's work so far in mask making and is available at the link below:
Origami- The Art of Paper Folding
Virtual Exhibit
Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC)- Toronto, ON
October 5th, 2021- Feb 1st, 2022
Link Directly to Miya's Gallery
In-Person exhibit at the JCCC
Feb 23rd- April 22nd, 2022
Opening reception: April 3rd, 2022, 2-4pm
"TRAHC 33rd Annual Juried Exhibition"
Texarkana Regional Arts & Humanities Council- Texarkana, TX
Aug 6th- Sept 25th, 2021
Video walkthrough of the exhibit and gallery
"I Am What I Am"
The Ice House Gallery- Tatamagouche, N.S
Local participating artist included:
Lee Cripps, Brandt Eisner, Margarita Fainshtein, Shauna MacLeod, Regina Marzlin, Carol Morrison, James Neish, Andrew Quon, Jack Ross, Alan Syliboy, Letitia Fraser and myself.
Curated by Brandt Eisner
July 3rd- Aug 1st, 2021
"REPRESENT: NEW PORTRAITURE- National Juried Exhibition"
Barrett Art Center- Poughkeepsie, NY
Group exhibition- featuring 37 Artists
Curated by Hannah Turpin, Curatorial Assistant for Modern and Contemporary Art and Photography, Carnegie Museum of Art.
March 13th-April 17th, 2021
Click here to see the Online and Installed Exhibit
"THE PORTRAIT WITHIN"
The House of Smalls - a dollhouse/gallery in the UK
Group exhibition- featuring the work of 35 International artists
Curated by Amy Oliver
February 20th- March 21st, 2021
Click here to see the Ongoing Online Exhibit
Photo credits: Amy Oliver
Modern Fuel Artist Run Centre, Kingson, ON. Group exhibition: Donkey Skin, 2008
Corridor Gallery, Halifax, NS. Solo Exhibit "Somewhere in Between", 2020
Nikkei: Masks and Dolls. Exhibit with Marjene Matsunaga Turnbull. Multicultural Centre, Stony Plain, AB 2008
BFA Group Exhibition, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, 2000
"For Keepsakes", group exhibition curated by Lucie Chan. ARTsPlace Gallery, Annapolis Royal, N.S. 2010
Group exhibit "I Am What I Am", curated by Brandt Eisner, Craig Gallery, Dartmouth, NS. September 2020. Featured the work of 15 artists. The 2 yellow and white masks are a collaboration between myself and James Neish (see his awesome art on Instagram here)
2 of my films were screened at the
Mixed Asian Media Festival
Sept. 15th -19th, 2021
There were panels, discussions and exhibition performances and film screenings
presented online.