Rodney Graham

* 1949, † 2022

Rodney Graham was born in Abbotsford, Canada, in 1949. He studied art history at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. 

Using idiosyncratic stylistic tools – such as doublings, loops, and quotations – Graham explored the fundamentals of art production and modernity. His works revolve around questions of the artist’s autonomy and the entertainment industry’s influence on our relationship to art. Graham is associated with the Vancouver School, whose loosely affiliated members include Jeff Wall, Stan Douglas, and Ian Wallace. While a conceptual approach to photography defines the group, Graham worked across different media, with literature and music being of particular importance in his practice. 

He represented Canada at the 47th Venice Biennale in 1997, and his work was exhibited in numerous solo shows and recognized with a series of prizes and awards.