Bio

Jessica Gorlicky - A Brief Bio...

Some artists work a lifetime to gain recognition but for Toronto artist Jessica Gorlicky, success has come as naturally as her gift for art.

In the last nine years, the 29-year-old artist has become one of the most revered pop-culture artists in the city. Her art has been a staple in the city’s social scene, either on the auction block at a charity event, a live-demonstration at the hottest parties or on the walls of some of Toronto’s best-loved spaces.

There are many key phrases that are associated with Jessica’s signature style -- bright colours, oversized mosaic portraits, show-stopping images, just to name a few. But no matter which way you describe it, Jessica’s art is instantly recognizable because of the special way she portrays life in her work.

It’s not unusual for someone to spot a “JessGo” portrait a mile away because of its unique collaboration.

Jessica’s raw ability to see the colour in every aspect of life that is at the heart of her success. From the musical beats pumping from her iPod to the clog of cars cluttering the roadways, Jessica has always managed to find a way to translate invisible moments into a vivid portrait of modern culture.

To date, Jessica has sold well over 2,000 pieces of art. Her spirited collection hangs in trendy restaurants, boutiques, galleries and showrooms throughout Ontario and the United States. Best of all, her work can be viewed at her new state-of-the-art studio-gallery in Vaughan, Ontario.
Her art is also a favourite among modern art collectors who look for the rare combination of timeless value and style.

She credits her success to her instinct for style, her inspiration to her world travels and her technique to years of training – first in Italy and then at the university level.
Music has also played an integral role in Jessica’s artistic evolution. Most of her work has been created under the influence of the haunting beats of Bjork, Jeff Buckley, The Doors, and other great musicians. She loves discovering Indy music because it inspires her to take new risks with her art, she says.

Art is not Jessica’s only passion as her flair for design has brought her much success in the jewellery-making business as well.

This artist is always looking to push herself and her work to the limits, which is why she has recently immersed herself in language studies. Aside from being incredibly well-versed in Italian and Spanish, Jessica has recently begun to tackle Russian. Her goal is to speak Russian as comfortably as she can speak in her native English tongue.

Whether it be Jessica’s artistic goals or professional goals, fans of her work can always count on being awe-struck with what she comes up with.

Education
  • Graduate of BA in Politics and Fine Art at York University 2004.
  • Completion of Upper Canada College Art History in Siena, Italy. 1997
All Exhibits of 2003 Were Held In Sydney, Australia

Shows & Exhibits 2004
  • Jerry & Nancy Penser Brain Cancer Benefit. Jessica Gorlicky originals were donated raising over $4000 for research in brain cancer.
  • RE-THINK Breast Cancer, Donation Event 2007
  • Lukemia Foundation- Donation Event 2007
  • CAMH 2007- Women in Violence Foundation, An Evening Through the Red Door, 2007
  • The Distillery Outdoor Art Exhibit. May-Sept. 55 Mill St. Group Show.
  • The Annex Patio Art Show, July 3-4. 450 Bloor St. Group Show.
  • Mini Downtown, 500 King St. W. Resident Artist March-present time. Solo Exhibit.
  • Cache Lounge/Gallery Exhibit Oct-Dec. 459 King St.W. Solo Exhibit.
  • Shark City Gallery, 117 Eglinton Ave. E. Aug-Dec. Solo Exhibit
  • One Up Gallery. Oct-present time, Sale and Exhibition. 130 Dundas W. Solo Exhibit.
Exhibitions & Shows 2005
  • One Of A Kind Spring Show. CNE, March.
  • The Outdoor Art Show. The Distillery District May- Sept.
  • The Annex Patio Art Show. 450 Bloor
  • Queen West Art Crawl. Trinity Bellwoods Park
  • One Up Gallery. 130 Dundas West. Permanet Residency
  • House of Cache Gallery www.houseofcache.com
  • Sense of Independence Gallery , Swarovski Collection of Sexy Girls. June '05-June '06
  • Three Gallery "Blowing Wind" Collection from May 1st - Aug 1st.
Exhibitions & Shows 2006
  • DeLeon & White Gallery: Feb 1st- Mar 1st, Group Exhibition.
  • Gallery 133: Jan 28th-Mar 28th; 1290 Castlefield Rd. Group Exhibition.
  • One Of A Kind Show Spring March 29th-April 2nd, CNE.
  • System 4 Gallery: Mar 15th- Aug 15th, 70 Wyngold Ave. Group Exhibition.
  • Smoke and Mojito: The Society Party- "Envy Boutique" Jul 1.
  • The I decide Show Aug 1-Dec 1.
  • L'oreal Toronto fashion week 2007 with Sodalicious, Oct 14-Oct 21.
  • Booby Ball (Breast Cancer Donation) Oct 2.
  • Slacks Gallery Nov 1-Dec 1.
  • Workshop Gallery-Solo Exhibit Nov 20-Dec 13.
  • Christmas One of A Kind Show Nov 23-Dec 3.
Exhibitions & Shows 2007
  • Everything To Do With Me: @ One Up Resto Lounge, Toronto, Ontario
  • All Abstract: Oct 27-Nov 10 @ Arta Gallery, Distillery District, Toronto, Ontario
  • Eastern Europe- An Opening Based on a Voyage: Sep 20-Oct 1 @ The Workshop Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
  • People and Faces- Jan 30 @ System 4 Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
  • Nuit Blanche 'An All Night Contemporary Art Thing' in association with Le Labo: @ The Distillery District, Sept 29-30, Toronto, Ontario
  • Fashion/Art Workz: Feb 15 @ The Bohemian Embassy Suites, Toronto, Ontario
  • Social @ Kiwe Kitchen Restaurant: Toronto, Ontario
Exhibitions & Shows 2008
  • A Portrait of Me: Smoke Gallery, Niagara Falls, Ontario
  • Art Expo: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Mar 6-9, Toronto, Ontario
  • Reena Foundation: Live Painting Donation: Apr 4, 1 King West, Toronto, Ontario
  • Portraits of Beauty: Fiorano Gallery, June 19, 405 Rowntree Dairy Road, Woodbridge, Ontario
  • “Abstracts” @ Dekade Style Boutique and Lab, Permanent Residence, Newmarket, Ontario
  • “Portraits” Painted Lady Gallery September-October (Group show) Nobelton, Ontario
  • “Human Form” @ Steam Whistle Brewery- The Gallery, September-October ’08 (Group show) Toronto, Ontario
Exhibitions & Shows 2009
  • “Faces” @ Rivoli, 332 Queen St.W Jan 11-Feb 6, Toronto, Ontario
  • "The 5th Annual Not Just Another Saturday Night" presented by the Reena Foundation, at The Academy of Spherical Arts, Mar 21, Toronto, Ontario
  • "Spin, Booze, or Draw" presented by The Young Associates of the Canadian Friends of the Israel Museum, at The Edward Day Gallery, Mar 26, Toronto, Ontario
  • International Art Fair ’09 Metro Toronto Convention Centre, June 12-14 Toronto, Ontario
  • "Blo'n Hot in the T-Dot: Paint the Town Pink", Live Painting Exhibition at Andrew Richard's Design, Toronto, Ontario for Blo Bar and POGO Charity, September 23, Toronto, Ontario
  • “Something Different” @ The Workshop Gallery Oct 09 -Oct 23, Toronto, Ontario
  • “Step One” @ Norman Felix Gallery Sept 24 Group Exhibit, Toronto, Ontario
  • Olympic Torch Relay, sponsored by RBC, and Presented by BiG Event Hero- Live Painting Across Canada in over 20 Cities Dec 09-Jan 2010
ON LINE GALLERIES: PRESS RELEASES:
  • Vain Magazine 2002
  • Thornhill Post 2002
  • Thornhill Post 2003
  • Sugarcainentertainment.com 2004
  • Town Crier 2004
  • City TV Outdoor Art Show 2004
  • Yoink Magazine 2004
  • Slate Magazine
  • The Jewish Magazine
  • FQ Magazine 2007
  • Dolce Magazine 2007
  • Metro 2007
  • Dining Out 2007
  • Fashionstudio7.com 2007
  • Juicy Stuff 2007
  • The Condo Guide Magazine Toronto 2007
  • Dining out 2008
  • Sweet Spot 2008
  • UrbaNation Magazine 2008
  • Day Time on Rogers TV 2008- Live Television Appearance
  • Urban National Magazine 2008
  • Day Time on Rogers TV 2009- Live Television Appearance
VIDEO RELEASES:
  • Inside The Artists Studio- Documentary on Jessica Gorlicky
  • Three Different views of the same Artist