The Life and Artistic Practice of Moira Dryer
Moira Dryer was a Canadian painter and sculptor born in Toronto, Canada. Her artistic journey took her from studying at Sir George Williams University in Montreal to the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, where she graduated with honors in 1981. During her time at SVA, she served as a studio assistant to the painter Elizabeth Murray and the Neo-expressionist painter Julian Schnabel. Before establishing herself as a full-time painter, Dryer worked as a freelance prop and scenic design maker, as well as a set designer for the avant-garde theater company Mabou Mines.
Her creative output is characterized by abstract paintings on wood panels that bridge the gap between Conceptual Art and contemporary painting through a playful and poetic approach. Dryer's work has been featured in numerous exhibitions, including solo shows at the John Good Gallery and the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston. Her pieces are held in various public collections, such as the:
Exhibitions and Legacy
Throughout her career, Dryer participated in significant group exhibitions, including Fast Forward: Painting from the 1980s at the Whitney Museum of American Art and The Indiscipline of Painting at Tate St. Ives. Her work has been showcased in diverse locations ranging from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art to the Kunsthalle Zürich. Dryer was married to fellow painter Victor Alzamora. She passed away at her home in New York City.
