Kim Dorland (b. 1974) is among the most accomplished and collected Canadian artists of his generation. He is celebrated for his inimitable painting style, with its thick impasto and hyper-real palette.  

The artist is credited with reinvigorating the (Canadian) landscape genre by depicting dense woodlands and suburban parks, populated with spooky figures or brooding teenagers with a visceral and raw intensity. His evocative and distinctive outdoor scenes, brilliantly heightened with elements of neon or acidic colors have played a central role in his otherworldly exploration of childhood, memory, and nostalgia. 

Dorland's work is instantly recognizable for his electric palette of neon hues, executed with rich brushstrokes that are simultaneously frenetic and meticulously calculated. His incredibly tactile technique brings to life his phantasmagoric scapes, placing the viewer in a realm that hovers between dream and reality.

Created in 2020, "Not Long" is a striking example of the artist's bold transition to a deeper, more somber palette in recent years. In this work, a white birch (one of his favorite motifs) stands crokedly in the foreground of the composition, its candied leaves brought to life through a bold and thick impasto.

Despite its substantial presence, the trunk appears ethereal, its translucent quality evoking an illusion of weightlessness. The bark's surface is adorned with enigmatic details, including a pair of initials, "L K," and a knot that curiously resembles a skull.

The surrounding field is desolate and still, shrouded beneath a midnight sky that only breaks by the glow of delicate golden stars. Meanwhile, the ground is illuminated by wispy layers of neon green mist that rise from the earth, imbuing the scene with a supernatural glow. 

Like the best of his work, the composition defies convention, encapsulating the viewer while offering nuanced details that invite further contemplation. Dorland's version of contemporary expressionism is truly unrivalled. 

Dorland was named Artist of the Year by the Globe and Mail in 2013. His work is featured in prestigious collections across the globe including the Contemporary Art Foundation (Japan), Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, and Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal, to name a few.

Questions about this piece?  or call 1.416.704.1720

Visit our Toronto gallery on .

"Not Long"

2020

Oil and graphite on canvas

Signed, titled, and dated on canvas edge

40"H 30"W (work)

Very good condition  

Note: the price is $26,500 CAD