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Virgil Riviera is a shared hallucination of the future projected on the present with the nostalgia of the past. Catharsis for myself and other through contemporary art.

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An attempt to strip bare the human experience. A reduction of experience to an impression of line and form. 

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Showcasing a panoply of stylistic techniques, that explores the beauty of the world. Works, redolent with human figures, encapsulate the duality of active presence and  detached modernity. 
 

A collection of artwork, gritty, yet vibrant and surreal, challenging preconceived notions of reality and confronting viewers with thought-provoking themes that stir the soul. 

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Virgil Riviera Portrait Photo

Kazimir Simpson, working under the moniker *Virgil Riviera* for the past 4 years, has been exhibiting across Canada since 2012 in both solo and group shows. A multi-disciplinary artist with roots in painting, interactive installations, fashion, and VFX. His practice centers around evoking visceral responses through bold contrasts, layered symbolism, and abstracted figures. 

 

Simpson's work is a mix of multiple influences and styles, a deliberate practice that is reflective of mixed Caribbean-European ancestry and the influences there within. Artistic exploration in understanding a shared human visual human framework, simpson's definition of the Human Condition.

 

A dual reference in Simpson’s moniker— Virgil, Dante Alighieri's guide through the afterlife in the Divine Comedy, and Riviera, a neuro-manipulating artist in William Gibson’s Neuromancer – serves as a metaphor for his exploration: the convergence of poetic introspection and  futurism.

 

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Exhibitions 

2025

“SNAG”, Astro Art Collective - Vancouver BC

2024

2022

"Grand Opening”, Astro Art Collective - Vancouver BC

"Inverted Pyramid Series: intend to upend", James Black Gallery

2021

2020

"GRUNNEMANN", Usine 106U

"Vancouver Mural Festival  Group Exhibit : Year 5"

2019

"A Night of Poetry and Art", Alternative Creations Studio

2017

"All Our Trials Are Soon Forgotten", Photon Studio

"All Our Trials Are Soon Forgotten", Photon Studio

2017

"Hot Dog", Parking Spot Project 

2016

"Painting on the Edge", Canadian Federation of artist Gallery

2016

"The Esoteric", James Black Gallery 

2016

"Inner Landscaps", Skylight Gallery

2015

"Vancouver Alternative Fashion Show", Chinese Cultural Centre

2015

"Painting on the Edge", Canadian Federation of artist Gallery

2015

"New Works", Ayden Gallery

2014

"Vancouver Alternative Fashion Show",Maritime Labour Center

2014

"Lab Art Show", W7 Studios

2014

"Savour Art Exhibition", Latincouver office

2013

"SNAG", The Cobalt

2013

"CARDED!" , Hot Art Wet City

2012

2014

"Opening Exhibit", Chelli's Gallery

"Boundaries", Serpens Gallery 

2014

"Limbo and Ennui", The Back Gallery Project 

Awards 

2015

"Painting on the Edge ", Canadian Federation of Artist Gallery ( Vancouver Art Gallery Honorable mention)

Art Markets

2023

"MINI-MART", Next Door

"Art+Social", Gastown7

"Brainstorm Bazaar", Storm Brewery

"Vancouver Mural Festival Market",  Main St

"Got Craft Summer Outdoor Market", Granville St

"Main Street Car free Day", Main St

"Black Music Month Festival" , City Center Artist Lodge

"Culture Crawl", Storm Brewery

 © 2022 Virgil Riviera

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