Abstract Shapes Build Jason Boyd Kinsella’s Expressive and Unique Characters

Jason Boyd Kinsella refers to himself as “a collector of things at heart.” The manner in which the Toronto-born, Oslo-based artist (previously) assembles shapes and colors appears to emerge from this lineage, his impeccable ability to capture a particular human emotion through abstract forms on full display.

Alchemy of the Eternal Self is Kinsella’s most recent body of work and continues his bold portraiture focused on the building blocks of our inner lives. Standing several feet tall, the geometric figures loom larger than most viewers, their bold personalities inviting an encounter.

an abstract portrait of a figure painted with chunky, colorful shapes
“Luna” (2025), oil on canvas, 104 x 124 centimeters

Kinsella zooms out in some of the pieces in the series, including “Luna” and its titular hunched character. With a sleek, white bob and perpetual frown, the figure’s long fingers reach for the ground as she turns to look out of frame. Exploring body language in addition to facial expressions, the artist also turns to art history, drawing the woman’s bent posture from Jean-François Millet’s “The Gleaners.” The large-scale painting, completed in 1857, garnered sympathy for the lowest classes and showed their essential labor.

In this way, Kinsella puzzles together both the timely and enduring, prompting connections through his Cubist paintings in which pure feeling and expression show that no matter how different we appear, we’re all made of the same emotional DNA.

Alchemy of the Eternal Self is on view through October 24 at Perrotin in Shanghai. Keep up with Kinsella’s work on his website and Instagram.

an abstract portrait of a figure painted with chunky, colorful shapes
“Graham” (2025), oil on canvas, 109 x 89 centimeters
an abstract portrait of a figure painted with chunky, colorful shapes
“Helen” (2025), oil on canvas, 159 x 134 centimeters
an abstract portrait of a figure painted with chunky, colorful shapes
“Freddy” (2025), oil on canvas, 184 x 184 centimeters
an abstract portrait of a figure painted with chunky, colorful shapes
“Paula” (2025), oil on canvas, 189 x 159 centimeters

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Abstract Shapes Build Jason Boyd Kinsella’s Expressive and Unique Characters appeared first on Colossal.

©

Related Posts

A phone displaying the New York Times game A phone displaying the New York Times game
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers...
Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's...
Read more
Salone del Mobile - DesacralizedSalone del Mobile - Desacralized
5 Salone moments with DKO’s Michael Drescher
1. Desacralized The Desacralized exhibition was inside an 11th century church where...
Read more
Abstract Shapes Build Jason Boyd Kinsella’s Expressive and Unique CharactersAbstract Shapes Build Jason Boyd Kinsella’s Expressive and Unique Characters
This modern, minimal showerhead and bath spout...
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath is one of those...
Read more
Grant Holloway poses with the gold medal in front of a miniature Eiffel Tower Grant Holloway poses with the gold medal in front of a miniature Eiffel Tower
How to watch the men's 110m hurdles...
TL;DR: Live stream the men's 110m hurdles final at Paris...
Read more
Abstract Shapes Build Jason Boyd Kinsella’s Expressive and Unique CharactersAbstract Shapes Build Jason Boyd Kinsella’s Expressive and Unique Characters
GameSir’s $79 MFi-compatible Controller Lets You Play...
Backbone has enjoyed relatively comfortable dominance in the iPhone controller...
Read more
muurbrede cinewall buitenmuurmuurbrede cinewall buitenmuur
Cinewall
Een cinewall is niet alleen handig – het ziet er...
Read more