Paul P. (born 1977) is a Canadian artist known for his work as a painter, sculptor, collagist and graphic artist exploring identity, gender, art history and landscape. He lives and works in Toronto, Ontario.
Paul P. was born in Hamilton, Ontario and grew up in Toronto. He graduated in 2000 with a BFA from York University in Toronto. He began using only initial of his last name while still a student to single him out from other artists.
Paul P's early work which he described as "melancholic" was drawn from early 80's pre-AIDS era gay pornography, using appropriated photographs from The ArQuives (formerly the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives) in Toronto. The New York Times described them as "oddly unsensual".
Later, he might use photographs taken during his travels, or drawings made by him in the out-of-doors which might become a source for paintings. The nuances of light and atmosphere were primary concerns and his work sometimes has been influenced by figures in art history such as James McNeill Whistler and John Singer Sargent. He also has made sculpture as in his installation "Writing Table for Nancy Mitford" at the 2014 Whitney Biennal.
Selected solo exhibitions include: Dusks, Lamplights, The Power Plant, Toronto (2007); Slim Volume, Queer Thoughts, New York (2019); Gamboling Green, Cooper Cole, Toronto (2020); Vespertilians, Maureen Paley, London, England (2022); Friendly in the Knife-edged Moment, Oakville Galleries, Ontario (2022); Early Skirmishes, Hordaland Kunstsenter, Bergen, Norway (2022); and Paul P.: Amor et Mors, National Gallery of Canada (2023), curated by Sonia Del Re, senior curator of Prints and Drawings, of a group of 30 works acquired by the collection in 2020 created by Paul P. between 2003 and 2019, along with about 15 works from the collection.
Doe Ye Nexte Thynge, 2013 <br> Last Flowers, Invisible Exports/Downtown Arts, 2012, text by Daniel Reich, 2012 <br> The Radiant Guest (Paul P. and Scott Treleaven), Publication Studios, Toronto, 2011 <br> The Pink Book, Daniel Reich Gallery, 2010, text by Harold Montague <br> Venice, Venice, Marc Selwyn Fine Art, 2009 <br> Paul P.- When Ghost Meets Ghost / Peter Hujar, Maureen Paley, 2008, text by Vince Aletti <br> Blue and Silver, Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac, 2007, text by Francois Jonquet <br> Nonchaloir, Powerhouse books, 2007, text by Collier Schorr <br> Places Names, the Place, Daniel Reich Gallery, 2007, text by David Velasco <br> The Yellow Room, Marc Selwyn Fine Art, 2006, text by Vince Aletti <br> Grey and Gold, Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac, 2005, text by Michel Bulteau