Colin Campbell (artist)

Colin Campbell (1942 – 2001) was a Canadian artist known for his vibrant and often humorous paintings and installations that explored themes of identity, sexuality, and cultural representation. He was a prominent figure in the Vancouver art scene of the 1970s and 80s, contributing significantly to the development of photoconceptualism and new media art.

Campbell’s early work involved performance and video art. He gained wider recognition for his large-scale canvases featuring expressive figures and saturated colours, often incorporating text and found objects. His paintings frequently explored the construction of masculinity and challenged societal norms surrounding gender and sexuality.

Campbell taught at the University of British Columbia for many years, influencing generations of artists. His work has been exhibited extensively across Canada and internationally and is held in the collections of major museums, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Vancouver Art Gallery, and the Art Gallery of Ontario. He remains a significant figure in Canadian art history.