Artist Statement

Abstract Brutalism explores the intersection of architecture, social equity, and emotional resonance. Rooted in the radical vision of Constant Nieuwenhuys’ New Babylon, my work reflects on Brutalism’s dual identity: a symbol of egalitarian ambition and a marker of urban alienation. In an era defined by housing crises and shrinking public space, these paintings reframe concrete as both material and metaphor—weighty, resilient, yet vulnerable to erasure. Through layered processes of addition and subtraction, I evoke the vibrancy and tension embedded in architectural form. Titles drawn from Joy Division lyrics deepen the narrative, connecting spatial experience to human emotion. This series invites dialogue on design ethics, community, and the enduring question: who gets to inhabit beauty?

Biography

Born in 1971 in the coastal town of Blackpool, UK, Manny Blair's artistic journey was shaped by a childhood surrounded by a wealth of books, fostering an early appreciation for creative thinking.
Blair's formal art education began at Blackpool & the Fylde College, a period he now regards as pivotal to his artistic development. Under the guidance of painting instructor Norman Travis, he discovered the transformative potential of broadening his artistic horizons. This led him to Cyprus College of Art, where he exhibited in a private gallery for the first time, garnering favorable critiques in national newspapers. During this time, he was introduced to the work of Euan Uglow, the college's first 'Artist in Residence.'
Continuing his academic journey, Blair pursued a Fine Art degree at the University of Sunderland, where he studied alongside Turner Prize-nominated artist Richard Billingham. Embracing wanderlust, he participated in an international student exchange program at East Carolina University, NC.
Returning to the UK, Manny delved into Landscape Architecture at Manchester Metropolitan University. Following the completion of his bachelor’s degree, he merged his art and design background with a Master’s in Public Art under the mentorship of Jason Minsky. This period marked a turning point, instilling in Blair a newfound level of professionalism and artistic rigor.
In 2008, an exciting opportunity led Manny to Calgary, Canada, where he established roots in the Alberta art scene. Proudly becoming a Canadian citizen in 2014, he dedicated his time to building a portfolio of new works and co-founded Art Calgary, the city's inaugural contemporary visual art fair.
In 2022, Manny relocated to Nova Scotia's South Shore, where he continues his artistic pursuits. A testament to his standing in the Canadian art community, Manny Blair became a National Gallery of Canada Board of Trustees member in December 2022.
Blair's eclectic influences encompass giants of the art world such as Francisco Goya, Marcel Duchamp, Francis Bacon, Clyfford Still, Constant Nieuwenhuys, Grayson Perry, and Julie Mehretu. Architectural luminaries like Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Rudolf Schindler, Erno Goldfinger, and Richard Neutra contribute to his diverse creative palette.