ARTIST CV
BIO
​
DRPN SOUL aka Kalkidan Assefa
(b. 1982, Ethiopia)
Multidisciplinary Artist and Educator primarily specializing in large-scale figurative and iconographic murals.​
Works in aerosol, acrylic, and digital print mediums.
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
Recent Roles and Projects
HOUSE OF PAINT URBAN ARTS FESTIVAL , VISUAL ART COORDINATOR
May 2019 - 2022
Selected and organized visual artists for Ottawa's largest urban arts festival for multiple years. Oversaw the completion of 4 large scale murals and 30+ graffiti productions during the course of a 3-day festival annually.
MIKW CHIYAM/NW'E JINAN ARTS, RESIDENT ARTIST
2016 - 2024
Completed multiple successful 3-8 week residencies in First Nations communities facilitating and collaborating mural projects with youth and community members during in-class and afterschool workshops.
ÀDISÒKÀMAGAN/ WE'LL ALL BECOME STORIES, OTTAWA ART GALLERY
2018
Created a site specific permanent mural installation for the new Ottawa Art Gallery's inaugural group exhibition.
EXHIBITION HISTORY
SOLO & FEATURED EXHIBITIONS
2016
Black Future Month 3016
Feb 3 – Feb 20
OCAD University Graduate Gallery, Toronto,ON
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2014
Good Things Ottawa,
Nov 27-Dec 6
The Studio Café Gallery, Ottawa, ON
TD BCNA Black History Month 2014
February 3-4
National Arts Centre, Ottawa, ON
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2013
ONE: A Visual Art Show by Kalkidan Assefa
Nov. 28- Dec. 1
Fall Down Gallery, 288 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON
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2012
SUPAFRIK D.C., October 18-21 - Gallery O on H
1354 H Street NE, Washington, DC, USA
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2011
TD Then and Now: Afrotropolis Wanderland
February 4 - 99 Sudbury Street, Toronto, ON
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
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2022
Still Tho: Aesthetic Survival in Hip Hop
Feb 9 - May 23
Âjagemô Exhibition Space, 150 Elgin St, Ottawa, ON
(additional dates in Montreal, Halifax, London, & Tokyo)
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We Live As We Die
Sept 23 - Oct 22
Gallery 101, Ottawa, ON
2018
ÀDISÒKÀMAGAN/ We'll All Become Stories
April 28-Sept 16, Ottawa Art Gallery, Ottawa, ON
2017
VISUAL17E Our Beautiful Future, Sept 17
St Brigid Center for the Arts, Ottawa, ON
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2016
Transactions, Sept 12- Dec 11
Carleton UniversityArt Gallery, Ottawa, ON
2015
Birds of a Feather, January 20 – March 8
The Lorraine Fritzi Yale Gallery, Ottawa, ON
RED: Human Rights Art Show, October 23 - November 2
Human Rights and Research Centre, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
2013
TD Then and Now: An(other) Antilles, February 16
Regent Park Arts and Cultural Centre (Daniels Spectrum), Toronto, ON
The Collective Seen, August 19-26 - Fall Down Gallery
288 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON
2012
The Human Zoo, May 26-31 - La Petite Mort Gallery
306 Cumberland Street, Ottawa, ON
2010
SUPAFRIK: Urban Contemporary Africana
July 15 –31
Hotshot Gallery, 181 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON
About Face: A Hip Hop Portraiture Experience
November 12 – 20
Proper Reserve, 498 Queen St. W, Toronto, ON
'Made You Look' Presented by Manifesto Festival
September 23 - October 2
99 SUDBURY, 99 Sudbury Street, Toronto, ON
"From The Soul"
July 22- August 15
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON
Selam Visual Arts Festival 2010, March 27-28
The Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen St. W, Toronto, ON
TEACHING RESIDENCIES
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2024
MikwChiyam Artist Residency, October-December, Voyageur Memorial High School, Cree Nation of Mistissini
2023
inPath Artist Residency, October-December,
Waswanipi High School, Cree Nation of Waswanipi
2022
MikwChiyam Artist Residency, March-April, Maquatua
Eeyou School, Cree Nation of Wemindji
2019
Nw'e Jinan Artist Residency, October-December,
Maquatua Eeyou School , Cree Nation of Wemindji,
QC
Nw'e Jinan Artist Residency, March-April,
Wabannautao Eeyou School , Cree Nation of
Eastmain
Nw'e Jinan Artist Residency, January-March,
Tsay Keh Dene School, Tsay Keh Dene First Nation
2018
Nw'e Jinan Artist Residency, September-November,
Eugene Joseph Learning Center, Tl’azt’en Nation
Nw'e Jinan Artist Residency, January-March,
Kitasoo Community School, Kitasoo/XaiXais First
Nation, BC
2017
MikwChiyam Artist Residency, September-October,
Voyageur Memorial High School, Cree Nation of Mistissini
EDUCATION
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Artist-Educator Foundations Certification, 2013
Royal Conservatory of Music –Kingston, Ontario
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Undergraduate Studies, 2001-2005
York University Faculty of Arts - Toronto, Ontario
Specialized Honours Fine Arts Diploma, 1996-2001
Canterbury High School, Enriched Visual Arts Program – Ottawa, Ontario
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CERTIFICATION & TRAINING
Ontario Working At Heights (WAH)
Aerial Work Platform (AWP) & Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP)
WHMIS
General Commercial Liability Insurance - Zensurance