Brian Solomon

Brian Solomon is of Anishinaabe and Irish heritage, born in the remote community of Shebahonaning, located in the Manitoulin district of Northern Ontario.  His ancestors have been on this land for a very long time, and this heritage greatly informs his artistic work. Brian followed first in the tradition of visual art in the region working as a portrait artist in his teenage years in Sudbury. It was there he discovered theatre, traditional and contemporary dance, moving then to Toronto where he trained at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre. He later received a Masters in Performance from the Laban centre (UK), and went on to perform for dozens of theatre and dance creators from across Canada, the US and Europe, earning several Dora and Gemini award nominations.

As a creator, Brian’s multidisciplinary approach is raw, challenging and present.  He has created a community work with over 40 interpreters, solos in trees, and animated installations of landfill. His work has toured nationally and internationally both in theatre venues and major galleries. His co-creation with German visual artist Judy Ross on the film the filmmaker won best prize for experimental film at Watch Out! Film Festival in Macedonia.  Brian was also a recipient of a Reveal Indigenous Arts Award from the Hnatyshyn Foundation.

Brian’s residency as a Visiting Dance Artist with NAC Dance will involve him researching and developing the newest work in his series The Dumb Bears.