The Bird

Kris Row was born in Smiths Falls, Ontario, and currently lives and works in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Queen's University (1976), a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Toronto (1979), a Master of Science from the University of Manitoba (1988), and a Master of Arts in Military History from Norwich University, Vermont (2019). Row maintains an orthodontic practice in Winnipeg while pursuing his artistic career.

Row's artistic practice was reignited when his wife discovered his original university portfolio and gave him new art supplies for Father's Day. He works primarily in acrylics and oils on panel, and carries watercolors when traveling. His paintings are characterized by bright, colorful, and illustrative qualities that tell stories with humor. Row describes himself as "an artist who happens to be an orthodontist" rather than the other way around, stating "I was an artist before and will be one after when I am finished straightening teeth."

Row's work draws heavily from personal experiences and humorous situations he encounters. He lived in China for over two years, where he played semi-professional hockey with the Beijing Leafs, experiences that inform many of his paintings. When depicting his Chinese experiences, he signs his work with his official Chinese name "Long Bing" (Ice Dragon) in white Chinese characters on red. His notable series includes works based on Dante's Divine Comedy, where Virgil is replaced by a dentist, and pieces inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as "COVID MAN," a ceramic sculpture depicting toilet paper hoarding.

Row's work has been exhibited in Winnipeg, Fort Lauderdale, and Beijing, and has appeared on the cover of the Journal of the Canadian Dental Association. He describes his style as "contemporary humorous with a pinch of surrealism" and notes that "most of my paintings have a story, something that has happened to me in my life. Usually the story is humorous." He is a member of the Manitoba Society of Artists and continues to balance his dental practice with his artistic pursuits.