The Mission
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Using street art as a mindset, rather than an aesthetic, he challenges his viewers to look deeper and question what lies beneath the surface.
INDEX
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01 ABOUT
02 Q&A
03 EXHIBITIONS
ABOUT DUNCE
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Dunce is visual artist based out of Calgary, Canada whose artwork is grounded in the countercultural voice of street art.
His work blends silkscreen, found-imagery and collage into large format paintings. Continuously pushing the limits of his practicDunce employs street art, not simply as an aesthetic, but as a mindset, using it as a lens through which to view the world.
As his practice evolves, Dunce remains committed to exploring the intersections of art and popular culture, challenging his audience to question the world around them.
Q&A
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WHY ARE YOU CALLED DUNCE?
The name ‘Dunce’ was a graffiti tag born in 2010, after I created a Banksy inspired five foot tall stencil for a student art show based on an old image of a student wearing a dunce cap. This turned into quite the controversy at my high school and the piece was quickly removed from the show!
After that, “Dunce” became an outlet for me to poke fun at authority and to have a voice. Eventually, the name just stuck.
DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE.
My style’s rooted in graffiti and street art. Over time, my practice has expanded to include a range of materials and processes, which I combine with painting in the studio. In recent years, much of my focus has been on silkscreen, adapting the technique from printing posters on paper to a process that works on a large scale canvas.
WHAT THEMES ARE YOU DRAWN TO?
Pop culture and the countercultural energy of street art have always been central to my work. I’m drawn to its defiance and anonymity, the pieces that endure tend to carry a layer of deeper personal meaning. I see the work as a way to question the systems that shape our lives, and to look for common ground in a divided world.
WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE AWAY?
At its core, my work is about vulnerability – how people are shaped, connected, and divided by the forces around them. If there’s one thing to take away, it’s to recognize the tension between our individuality and the systems that influence our lives.
DO YOU OFFER COMISSIONED OR CUSTOM WORK?
Yeah, I do commissions and custom artwork, including murals and larger-scale projects. If you have an idea, send me an email and we can start the conversation.
dunceartwork@gmail.com
What’s an edition vs an original?
Editions are all one-of-one, handmade works of art. I’ll produce these works in small runs, creating multiple versions of the same pieces. This way, I’m able to release them as a series and price them to be more accessible. Editions are available directly through my studio and are available to purchase on my website.
Originals are singular works created over longer timelines. They represent the most refined version of my artistic practice. Originals are available through Jared at McQueen Agency.
EXHIBITION HISTORY
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2025 Thunderstorm, AU Arts (Group)
2024 Art Commons, Theatre Calgary (Solo)
2023 Fame & Fortune, Miller Gallery (Solo)
God Save the Queens, Miller Gallery (Solo)
2022 Mild Mild West, Gallery Vertigo (Solo)
Centerfolds, Local Losers (Solo)
EDUCaTION
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2014 University for the Creative Arts, United Kingdom
Bachelors of Visual Communication (Honours)
