Spring 2021

Earlier this year Global TV’s Gil Tucker did a story on an art show and fundraiser featuring an up-and-coming local artist, Kale Barr. A self-described abstract expressionist/neo-expressionism working with acrylics, his current work is autobiographical, expressing his life-story. We wanted to know more about Kale Barr’s life story and why he chose to support the Calgary Food Bank with a fundraiser. When we sat down for a chat, we discovered that it’s about much more than receiving food.

Kale Barr is 32 years old. He’s a full-time fine artist who draws inspiration from Jackson Pollock, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Eddie Martinez. Kale’s voice brightens when conversation turns to his passion but when you read how he got to this place of success and how The Calgary and Edmonton Food Banks played a role, you will be inspired by much more than his masterpieces.

I remember thinking it was rock bottom and I was embarrassed and ashamed. But when you utilize it and understand it, you see that they are providing more than food for meals, they are providing hope.

Born 32 years ago in Morden, Manitoba, Kale describes his childhood as a happy one. He enjoyed the usual antics of teasing his younger brothers and being “kept in line” by a tough but compassionate older sister. Like so many Canadian boys, he played hockey and says that he grew up in a loving home that didn’t always have a lot of money, but “My parents worked very hard to provide for us.” Looking back, Kale recognizes the sacrifices and efforts to keep food on the table. He said that his childhood was filled with warm memories like Mom having a loving kindness that was “above and beyond” and Dad being quite strict while also providing the odd ‘secret treat’ to the movies to have one-on-one time with each of his kids.

The family moved a few times through Kale’s early life, and he distinctly remembers when his dad landed a great new job, “We went from having no-name brand cereal to brand-name cereal.”

Around the age of 21 a series of tragic events set Kale on a course of bad decisions and wrong turns. First there was an injury, so he was no longer able to pursue a career in hockey; a good friend was murdered; another died by suicide; and a cousin died in a tragic water accident. Kale’s parents also got divorced and this cascading series of events culminated into a dark time for him. He turned to the streets and got involved with illicit drug and gang behavior. Kale was, by his own words a “lost soul” during this time.

In his mid-twenties a friend told Kale; “Get in the car, we’re going for a drive”. Hours later, they were in Edmonton where Kale was forced to try and start fresh. While the friend offered a couch to crash on, Kale was otherwise on his own and that was when he first called a food bank. He remembers how he felt when he took that step. “I remember thinking it was rock bottom and I was embarrassed and ashamed. But when you utilize it and understand it, you see that they are providing more than food for meals, they are providing hope.” Kale continued to struggle for a few more years to try and stay on a good path but it wasn’t easy. Realizing he had suffered from ADHD and PTSD most of his life, finding the balance of work, healthy relationships and taking care of himself was difficult.