Patrick Dunford paints landscapes in flux, focusing on his studies of trains and abandoned train yards to investigate themes of deindustrialization. Dunford is also curious about the challenges – and hubris – of trying to shape natural places to meet human needs. Caught between the wild and the human, Dunford’s impasto expanses of natural landscapes are broken up by tracks, spurs, chain link fences, blockish cars and trucks with wheels at odd angles, and occasional disconnected, laborious figures. Trains, once the avatar of industry and a symbol of modernity, now signify differently.
Patrick Dunford was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Dunford completed his BFA at University of Manitoba, Winnipeg in 2005, and completed his MFA at Concordia University in Montreal in 2012. Dunford’s solo exhibitions include those at Norberg Hall (Calgary, Alberta); Best Practice (San Diego, California); Jarvis Hall Gallery (Calgary, Alberta); Galerie Laroche/Joncas (Montreal, Quebec); and Semai Gallery (Winnipeg, Manitoba). Dunford has been awarded Winnipeg Art Council Individual Artist Grant, the Faculty of Fine Arts Fellowship, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, and the Mitch Gowler Memorial Award, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB. Dunford has also attended the Deep Bay Artist Residency, Manitoba Art Council, Wasagaming, Manitoba, and delivered a guest lecture at University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana in 2020. Dunford lives and works between Moorhead, Minnesota and the Canadian Shield in Ontario, Canada.