Design & Commissions
Exhibitions & Documentation

TENDER LIKE A BRUISE
Hamilton Artists Inc.
April 4 - May 17, 2025
3D print
installation view
2025

Engaging with the tensions of how a bruise can be the outcome of both pain and pleasure in relation to queerness, the exhibition seeks to explore the nuanced politics of the queer body and visibility through a lens of relationality and T4T* care.

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Persistent Desires
Xpace Cultural Centre
January 18 - March 15, 2025

Unbodied
looping digitally rendered animation on monitor
Collaborative installation view
Photo: Alison Postma

Engaging with the queer cultural touchstone of “backrooms” – spaces of queer sexuality and liberation, playgrounds that allow for a possibility to transgress, the installation recontextualizes the gallery space as a site for queer potentiality and dreaming.

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To be Soft is to be Resilient
Large scale mural
Hamilton Artists Inc.
November 2024 - June 2025
Hyper-visibility can mean so many things for trans folks and oftentimes the threat of harm lingers. We understand the implications of our existence and of being seen. For many of us the truth remains: be vigilant of the world around you. ... I remain firm; trans existence is not up for debate.

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Passing
Factory Media Centre
August 2024
Feel
Augmented Reality (AR) activation
2024

During their residency at Factory Media Centre Ardyn explored what it means to exist as a visibly queer person in spaces through the use of various digital new media technologies including Projection Mapping, 3D rendered animations and AR (Augmented Reality) activations

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hot dreams
Ed Video
July 2 - August 5, 2024
Curated by Adrien Crossman, hot dreams brings together the work of Ardyn Gibbs and Eli Nolet.

 Queer desire, safety, memory, joy, and visibility exist as throughlines in these works that reach for physical spaces of queer belonging/gathering that have for some only existed as a fantasy or imagining. 

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it shapes bodies
Factory Media Centre
2023
Portals
Digitally animated render on CRT monitor, 2023

it shapes bodies is a group exhibition curated by Eli Nolet featuring the work of emerging artists Hannah Essex, Ardyn Gibbs, and Pippa MacDonald. Each artist’s practice pulls from personal narrative, and explores the embodied experiences of queer vulnerabilities and realizations of desire.

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Bio & CV
Ardyn Gibbs
ardyn.gibbs@gmail.com
@ardyngibbs

existing at the intersections of desire, softness, and joy.
 
Ardyn Gibbs (they/them) is a Queer and Trans, settler-Indigenous (Mohawk) Artist, Designer and Arts Worker located on the territories of the Haudenosaunee, Anishnaabe, and the Missisaugas of the Credit First Nation otherwise known as Hamilton, Ontario. Using digital new media technologies Ardyn’s work explores the themes of Queer Futurity, digital dreaming and visibility/legibility of Queer bodies in public spaces. 

They are a recent graduate of McMaster University’s Studio Arts Program (B.F.A.) with a Minor in Community Engagement. Ardyn is passionate about collective dreaming, placekeeping and fostering meaningful connections. Their work is constantly shifting, adapting and growing with the world around them.



EducationHonours B.F.A. in Studio Arts
Minor in Community Engagement
McMaster University
2019 - 2024

Certificate in Graphic Design and Visual Communication
OCADU
2022 - Present



Professional Experience Curatorial Assistant
Art Gallery of Hamilton
2024 - Present

Research Assistant
Orchid Contemporary
McMaster University
2024

Program Assistant
STEPS Public Art
2022 - 2024

Research Assistant
SOTA: Zine Library
McMaster University
2022 - 2024



Juries, Boards & Committees Public Art Steering Committee Member
Public Art Hamilton
2024 - Present

Board Member
Factory Media Centre
2024 - Present



Grants & Awards
OAC Exhibiton Assistance
2024

Honourable Mention Faculty Award
McMaster Museum of Art
2024

Indspire Skylark Award for the Arts
2022



Selected Exhibitions


TENDER LIKE A BRUISE
Two- person exhibiton with Eli Nolet
Hamilton Artists Inc.
Hamilton, ON
2025

PERSISTENT DESIRES
Two- person exhibiton with Eli Nolet
Xpace Cultural Centre
Toronto, ON
2025

Warm/wet
FISTFULS
Group Exhibition
Orchid Contemporary
Hamilton, ON
2025

Echoes From This Land
Group Exhibition
No Borders Art Festival.
Ottawa, ON.
2025

Praise Series/ Dance for Me

REVEL
Art Gallery of Burlington
Burlington, ON
2024

Passing
Solo exhibition
Factory Media Centre
Hamilton, ON
2024

hot dreams
Two- person exhibiton with Eli Nolet
curated by Adrien Crossman
Ed Video
Guelph, ON
2024

Echoes From This Land
Group Exhibition
Regina Public Library. 
Regina, SK
2024

Backrooms
Yearbook
Two- person installation with Eli Nolet
McMaster Museum of Art
Hamilton, ON
2024

Echoes From This Land
Group Exhibition
Grimsby Public Art Gallery
Grimsby, ON
2024

Between Here and There
Solo Exhibition
Farside B-Side
Hamilton, ON
2024

it shapes bodies
Group Exhibition
curated by Eli Nolet
Factory Media Centre
Hamilton, ON
2023

Hi Libido Sex Show 
Group Exhibition (online)
Safe Space (video)
Gallery 1313
Toronto, ON
2022



Residencies Empire of Dirt Residency
Trans Ecologies with Jay Phare
Creston, BC
2025

SOTA Zine Artist in Residence
McMaster University
Hamilton, ON
2024

& Now Residency
Factory Media Centre
Hamilton, ON
2024


Selected Workshops & Artist Talks
Augmented Reality in Public Art Workshop
CreateSpace Public Art Forum
Workshop Facilitator
STEPS Public Art
2024

Guest Lecturer
English 3GF3
McMaster University
2024

Panel Discussion
The Check-In Podcast: For Us By Us
Factory Media Centre
2024

Zine making workshop
Envisioning Transness
MSU Pride
2023


Press & Publications
Living in the Light
written by Stephanie Vegh
Early Summer issue no. 14 
Hamilton City Magazine 
2025

Persistent Desires Essay
written by Casper Sutton-Fossman
Xpace Cultural Centre
2025

Feel
Necktie Magazine
issue 001

CBC Arts Video
Toronto, ON
2024

CBC Arts Feature Interview
Toronto, ON
2024

The Squeaky Wheel: Praise Series
timestamp
2023

McMaster University PULSE Lab: The Check-in Podcast
Hamilton, ON
2022     

The Haldimand Press: Young Artists Showcase True Selves
Haldimand, ON
2022      

Incite Magazine: Flicker
Vol. 24 issue 3.
Hamilton, ON
2022      

Incite Magazine: Here
Vol. 23 issue 2.
Hamilton, ON
2021      
           


Design Work & Commissions
Design Assets
Trans Library Toronto
2025

Tour assets
T. Thomason UK tour
2025

Logo design
CBC Arts
2024

Orchid Contemporary
Web design
2025

Logo design
Kasra Jalilipour
2024

Logo design
Jacob Marion
2024

Animated digital poster
Comma Workshop
2024

Web design
Eliot Duncan
2024

Digital poster
HEAVEN
Queer Dance Party
2024

Digital poster
PONYBOY
Book launch party
2024
       


Volunteer Service
Catalogue Design 
Co-designed with Eli Nolet
SUMMA 2024: Yearbook
McMaster Museum of Art
2024

Focus Group Member
Public Art Hamilton
2024

Installation Assistance 
La Bulle
2023


Mentorship
CreateSpace Public Art Forum
Mentor
STEPS Public Art
2024/2025


Last Updated 24.10.31



November Logo Design
CBC Arts
2024

[Watch the video here]
Every month, we feature a new take on the CBC Arts logo created by a Canadian artist. Check out our previous logos!

This month's take on the CBC Arts logo was created by Ardyn Gibbs. And talk about a glow up! The CBC gem rarely sparkles with this kind of fire and brilliance.

There's more to Gibbs's design than pure razzle-dazzle, however. "I often am inspired by shared queer and trans experiences," says the multidisciplinary artist — "longings, joy and desires for a softer future." 

[...Read the full interview here]



















© Ardyn Gibbs