17/04/2023
On June 22nd, 2020, I experienced a very vivid dream that I was at an exhibition at Angell Gallery, in Toronto. I was faced with a peculiar four-by-four foot acrylic painting on a birch panel. The image was composed of five stripes, each containing five or four stars, alternating in black and silver paint. After I was able to remember these details, the painting changed to another composition of the same size and position in the blink of an eye. This second composition had the same dimensions but was green and red and had the silhouette of a cone in the top left corner, while the remainder of the forms were stars.
To my left, I noticed what I can only presume to be the title of the solo exhibition on the wall in black vinyl, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐, in all capital letters. I was surprised to find that I was able to recall the exact font from real life.
Then I noticed the painting changed again to another composition which was black and lavender. In the top left corner, there was a silhouette of what appeared to be a package with the high-fashion logo, SUNNEI, on it. The box was distorted as if it was deconstructed or damaged. The remaining stars were replaced with a seemingly random arrangement of equilateral polygons, star-based pyramids, and cones. I approached the panel to confirm the medium was in fact acrylic, at which point the surface of the black paint disappeared into a window into outerspace. I was taken aback by this honest unexpected turn of events as I stepped back in wonder and confusion.
The painting then proceeded to flash successively within the same dimensional parameters and template with varying arrangements of these simple Gestalt forms, each composition containing one esoteric high-fashion package that was destructed.
When this series of images reached approximately the twentieth succession, I remember reiterating to myself rather despondently, "I am a painting machine..." at which point my dream faded to black and I woke up.
Since approximately 2017, I have counted hundreds of these involuntary psychic dreams of paintings, sculptures, art installations, minimal electronic dance music productions, feature-length films, short films, music videos, and high-fashion runway collections, which I have not previously seen in my waking life.
Interestingly enough, they all seem to contain the same visual motifs, symbols, metaphors, and conceptual content.
Given my lifelong background in the arts, it was plain to me that this was something I have to yet produce. Dreams are the third state of consciousness, so I can't help but notice the divinatory connotations as well.
I approached Angel Gallery directly to propose representing this exhibit as accurately as possible in the same context. I was grateful to receive a response, albeit it was,
"Dear Kyle,
Thank you for your interest in Angell Gallery. While we are not currently accepting submissions, we appreciate you reaching out and think your paintings are beautiful.
Keep in touch and all the best in your future endeavors.
Most sincerely,
Bill Clarke."
Angell Gallery has since permanently closed. I. continued to search elsewhere to exhibit these works I have been laboring over at the same time.
This Tuesday, April 18th, my first major solo exhibition, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐, will be open to the public at Collision Gallery, in Toronto, at 30 Wellington Street West at 11:00 a.m.
The opening reception is this Saturday, April 22nd, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
I describe these recurring vivid dreams I find myself inundated with those who know me personally. I fantasize about inviting people into these dreams in hopes to share and understand these strange works.
At this point in time, this of course is not possible. So I have taken it upon myself to dedicate the rest of my life to recreating these works as actually as possible, and to invite people into my dreams metaphorically.
As I mentioned, the majority of the pieces in this exhibition will be from this dream I just described from June 22nd, 2020. There will also be a two other works from other dreams I have experienced during other periods of sleep.
I would like to thank Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival for generously supporting my exhibition.
I look forward to sharing this special occasion with you this Saturday evening.
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April 18 to May 12, 2023.
Exhibition Hours
Tuesday to Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Opening Reception
April 22, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Sound Bath Meditation
with The Sound Body Collective
April 29th, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Collision Gallery
Commerce Court South
30 Wellington St, Unit G114
Toronto, ON M5L 1G4
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Kyle Yip achieved a significant breakthrough in 2017 when he discovered the unique ability to perceive and examine artworks that emerge during his dreams in vivid detail. Successive images that onceโฆ
