About the Artist

Biography

Frank Forrestall is a Canadian surrealist painter based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Influenced by mythology, folklore, and mysticism, Forrestall’s figurative work serves as a visual exploration of the subconscious and human experience. His paintings, initially conceived as meditative and cathartic expression, have resonated with audiences who find deep emotional connections within his layered compositions. A lifelong artist, and the youngest of the Tom Forrestall artist family, Frank has been painting professionally since 2016. He has steadily built a reputation for his intricate storytelling and masterful technique. His work continues to captivate collectors and art enthusiasts, affirming his place in the contemporary art world.

Artist Statement

Forrestall’s work navigates the terrain of mythology, the subconscious, folklore, and modern iconography, creating layered visual worlds that serve as mythic corridors into both private and collective narratives. Within his practice lies a deep fascination with the persistence of myth, and its power to transcend eras and cultures by carrying forward truths that remain relevant across generations.

Through automatism and automatic drawing, he allows archetypal forms to rise unbidden from his subconscious. His process is one of transformation; initial sketches, impressions, and lived experiences evolve into refined visual statements. Through this merging of instinct and intention, Forrestall produces compositions that are both deeply considered and vibrantly alive. This process transforms private visions into shared narratives, creating a symbolic space where individual and collective experience converge.

Each piece invites viewers towards introspection and emotional connection, functioning as both a personal catharsis and a collective mirror that reflects shared struggles and inner landscapes. His paintings move beyond mere representation, becoming gateways to imagined realms and reminders of the enduring relevance of mythic storytelling. In traversing these visual worlds, the viewer does not simply witness a story, they become a part of it, carrying the symbols into their own dreams and waking life.

SOLO SHOWS

• August 2023: "Road to Neverville" solo show @ The Craig Gallery; Dartmouth NS
• July 2023: "Road to Neverville" solo exhibition @ The Fraser Gallery; Tatamagouche, NS.
• March 2020: “Sacred Motes” solo exhibition @ Kit Cafe & Gallery; Halifax NS.
• March 2019: “Neverworlds” solo exhibition @ The Craig Gallery; Dartmouth NS.
• February 2019: “Knickknacks & Psychopomps” solo exhibition @ The D'Art Gallery; Dartmouth NS.
• January 2018: “Dark Gnosis” solo exhibition @ Plan-B Gallery; Halifax NS.

GROUP SHOWS

• September 2023: "Critical Care" group exhibition @ The Ice House Gallery; Tatamagouche, NS
• January 2022: “Surreal Salon 14” group show @ Baton Rouge Gallery; Baton Rouge LA.
• May 2021: “Invisible Visibility” online group show @ artsteps.com
• October 2019: “DAMNED: Exhibition of Enlightened Darkness” group show @ Tangent Gallery; Detroit MI.
• June 2018: “Dream Selfies” group show (curated and contributed) @ Chase Gallery; Halifax NS.
• February 2010: “Art For the Planet” group show @ Fred Gallery; Halifax NS.

AWARDS

• October 2020: "American Art Awards" Art Brut 3rd Place for "Chimerical Beast" and 4th Place for "Stylite's Dream"; Los Angeles, CA.

COMMISSIONS

• August 2023: "Mr. Veggie Pig" painting commissioned @ Real Fake Meat; Halifax NS.
• August 2022: "Cosmic Vortex 2" mural commissioned @ High Grade Smoke Shop; Dartmouth NS.
• October 2021: "Cosmic Vortex 1" mural commissioned @ High Grade Smoke Shop; Millbrook NS.
• June 2018: "The Exquisite Beast" mural commissioned @ Copernicus Animation Studio; Halifax NS.