Dean Jackson is an Toronto artist and furniture maker with a fresh take on interactive sculpture. His artwork generates an emotional response through intricate workmanship, nostalgic references to mechanical achievements and a profound element of surprise. Whether sculpture or furniture, Jackson treats each project as an artistic journey that ends with a beautifully crafted and desirable object.
After completing an Honours BA in Fine Arts from the University of Waterloo in 1984, Jackson began making art while designing and building custom furniture in the Toronto area. Early artwork included drawing, painting and mixed media relief sculpture based on layered old wall images from extensive travels throughout Europe and Asia, while furniture commissions spanned the design spectrum and allowed him to develop an array of hand skills that play a major role in his current work.
My commissioned furniture work has always been about getting into my client’s head and finding a well-designed solution to their needs, while my artwork is about getting into my own and creating beautifully crafted objects that are totally unique in the world.
Inspiration for Jackson’s work comes from historical forms of innovative art and industrial design. Iconic automobiles, streamlined locomotives and shiny aluminum aircraft are on equal footing with the great masters of painting and sculpture. The Art Deco legacy of speed, aerodynamics and luxury is particularly influential, with its free and optimistic spirit well-represented in Jackson’s sculpture.
Pushing the envelope of artistic expression, making things no one has made before and doing it with excellence are Jackson’s ultimate goals. Imagination and knowledge of the past, combined with curiosity, skill, and a desire to create, define Jackson the artist.
Dean Jackson – Exhibition and Publication History
Education
1980-84, Hon. B.A. Fine Arts, University of Waterloo
Exhibitions
2025, The Artist Project, Toronto, ON
2020, Gallery Double T, Waterloo, ON
2019, Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Owen Sound, ON
2018-2019, Gallery Double T, Waterloo, ON
2018-2019, Smokin’ Cigar, Toronto, ON
2017, Architectural Digest Home Design Show, New York, NY
2017, Gallery Double T, Waterloo, ON
2017, Gallery D’May Fine Art, Cape May, NJ
2017, Interior Design Show, Toronto, ON
2016, Architectural Digest Home Design Show, New York, NY
2016, Interior Design Show, Toronto, ON
2015, Architectural Digest Home Design Show, New York, NY
2014, Architectural Digest Home Design Show, New York, NY
2013, Toronto Art Expo, Toronto, Ontario
2012, Toronto Art Expo, Toronto, Ontario
2011, Toronto Art Expo, Toronto, Ontario
2004, Bentley Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
2011, IDS11, Toronto, Ontario
2005-2011, Altered Space Gallery, Los Angeles, California
2005, Christopher Bell Gallery, Monterey, California
2004, Bentley Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
2004, Manhattan Motorcars, New York, NY
2004, Cooper Classics Collection, New York, NY
2004-2010, Rolls Royce Motorcars, Toronto, Ontario
2004, “Art of the Automobile”, Toronto International Auto Show
1995, Cedar Ridge Gallery, Scarborough, Ontario
1995, Society of Canadian Artists (SCA), John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto
1995, Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario
1995, SCA Member’s Exhibition, Arts and Letters Club, Toronto, Ontario
1994, ArtStarts Cultural Center, Toronto, Ontario
1994, Prisma Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
1994, Arcadia Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
1994, Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario
1994, SCA Member’s Exhibition, Etobicoke, Ontario
1993, Joseph D. Carrier Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
1993, “Image ‘93”, Joseph D. Carrier Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
1993, Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario
1992, “Stratum”, Lynnwood Art Center, Simcoe, Ontario
1992, “Image ‘92”, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
1992, Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario
1992, New Zones Gallery, Calgary Alberta
1991, “One of a Kind Show”, Toronto, Ontario
1991, Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto, Ontario
1991, Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, Toronto, Ontario
1990, Carol Stern Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
1989, “Art on The Water’s Edge”, Toronto, Ontario
1989, Lighthouse Festival Theater, Port Dover, Ontario
1984, The Gallery and Library, Cambridge, Ontario
Grants and Awards
2004, First prize, Sculpture, “Art of the Automobile”, Toronto International Auto Show
1991, Best Display Award, One of a Kind Show, Toronto, Ontario
1980, George E. Dickenson Award in Art, Lawrence Park C.I.
Reviews/Articles
Amazing Canadian Fashion, 2016
Claudia Jacobs, Times Harold-Record, June, 2015
The High End, Summer 2014
The Design Tourist, May 2014
Envoyage Magazine, May 2014
Wag Magazine, May, 2014
Sharp Magazine, Winter 2012/2013
Amazing Canadian Fashion (ACF), 2011
Dolce Magazine, winter, 2010
Fine Homebuilding, October, 2010
Robb Report Collection, December, 2009
Driven Magazine, December, 2005
Rich Guy Magazine, summer, 2005
Kerry Pierce, The Custom Furniture Source Book, 2001
Jim Tolpen, Built-In Furniture, The Taunton Press, 1997
Design Book Seven, The Taunton Press, 1996
Shelagh Stanley, “Two Young Craftsmen”, Select Homes, April, 1993Gerry Malloy, Toronto Star, Feb. 14, 2004
Joe Sinsac, Kitchener Waterloo Record, Nov. 12, 1983
Ann Pappert, Imprint, Dec. 2, 1983
Dale Anne Freed, The Toronto Star, Dec. 29, 1991
Monte Sonnenberg, The Nanticoke Times, Nov. 11, 1992
Cheryl Bauslaugh, Simcoe Reformer, Nov. 11, 1992
Collections
Image Foundry
CPC Loyalty Communications Inc.
Paisley Products of Canada
Dean Jackson is a Toronto artist and furniture maker with a fresh take on interactive sculpture. His artwork generates an emotional response through intricate workmanship, nostalgic references to mechanical achievements, and a profound element of surprise.
All Rights Reserved by Dean Jackson
