Brian Flynn is an Irish Canadian artist based in Calgary, whose work explores identity, resilience, and the emotional depth of figurative painting. Born in Toronto, he spent formative years travelling between Ireland and the U.S., including a stint in San Francisco, where he briefly attended kindergarten. A dreamer from an early age—something even noted on every elementary report card—he began his artistic journey at Saint John Newman, later attending North Park Collegiate, where an inspiring art teacher sparked his passion. That is where he first sketched his iconic “potato.”
Flynn’s evolution from unconventional materials like carpet underlay to large-scale figurative painting was anything but linear. Years of solitary studio practice marked a terrifying but transformative period. He doesn’t see himself as a political activist, but feels that if his family had remained in Ireland, he might have been.
His work is driven by the need for autonomy in a world of gatekeepers—his studio is a place of complete freedom. As an artist floating between two cultures, Flynn grapples with belonging, but finds grounding through teaching and exhibitions, notably in Calgary at Herringer Kiss and the Nickel Galleries. A former boxer and endurance cyclist, he draws inspiration from grit, failure, and those who keep going, no matter what.
-Written by John Faul
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Which ’hood are you in?
I live in Inglewood. I love the neighbourhood for its history, grit, and strong sense of community. It still has a rawness that hasn’t been polished out.
What do you do?
I’m an artist, and I spend most of my time in the studio. It’s where I disappear and figure things out through paint.
What are you currently working on?
Right now, I am experimenting with new approaches. It is an incubation period, where nothing has to be perfect. The time to explore without pressure is essential to me.
Where can we find your work?
I show at Herringer Kiss Gallery in Calgary, my Instagram account is @brianflynn1313.
