Bob “Omar” Tunnoch
Artist, Musician
Personal Information
Date of Birth: March 31, 1953 Ottawa, ON
Education
Humber College: Fine Arts Program (Major – Painting)
Vancouver School of Art: Painting
Musician/songwriter/visual artist Bob “Omar” Tunnoch was born in Ottawa 1953. The natural world has been his life-long passion and is a constant source of inspiration for him. He puts his subjects in unusual situations to grab the viewer’s attention. When he’s captured their interest he wants them to question the subject matter and hopefully investigate the life form illustrated. The incredible organisms around the world are disappearing at an alarming rate and are worth saving. He feels our own existence is defined by and depends on what we live with and our relationship with them.
As a member of the SCA (Society of Canadian Artists),FCA (Federation of Canadian Artists), OSA ( Ontario Society of Artists ) his paintings can be found in private and public collections across North America and Bob was a featured artist in the 2014 publication “International Contemporary Artists”. His use of vibrant colors, attention to detail and his thought provoking subject matter are constantly met with the questions, “How did you think of that?” or “Where do you get your ideas from?”
As a two-time Juno award winning songwriter and twenty year founding member of the popular Canadian group FATHEAD, Bob is known in music circles for his unusual approach on the electric, fretless bass. His humorous and often out of the ordinary song writing has carried him to the finals three times and earned him two honorable mentions in the I.S.C. (International Song Writing Competition). Never limited to just one genre, his writing travels through many different musical styles and has landed him on stage with some of the world’s greatest legends. Bob has worked with Etta James, Paul Butterfield, John Lee Hooker, and Big Mama Thorton to name just a few.
His musical/visual creations are constantly evolving and are always a source of anticipation and interest to his audience. He now would like to focus on his painting career and combine his music and art into one coherent vision.
Art Awards
Federation of Canadian Artists – First prize painting (1975)
Arts Etobicoke – Best in Show (1984), Honorable mention (1984), Best Mixed Media (1988), Honorable mention (1988)
North York Arts Council – Mayors Award (1988)
Latcham Gallery Annual Juried Show – Best in Show (2016)
Scarborough Arts Annual “En Route” Juried Show – Jurors Choice Award (2016)
2016 Shows and Publications
The Latcham Gallery, Annual Juried Show, “Best in Show”
Scarborough Arts “En Route” Juried Show Todmorden Mills, “Jurors Choice Award”
Colborne Gallery “ Annual Juried Show “
Society of Canadian Artists, Online Juried Show
Painting and Poetry Show, Arts Scarborough
CCBA 8 (open art Milano Associazione Culturale ) official catalogue
Latcham Gallery, “Little big night out”
The Cathedral Show ( benefit for Syrian Refuge’s )
The Colborne Art Gallery “ Past, Present, Future Show”
The Bartlett gallery , Christmas Show
2015 Shows and Publications
Quest Gallery, Annual Juried Show Bartlett Gallery, Climate Change Show Scarborough Arts, Annual Juried Show Colborne Art Gallery, Annual Juried Show IATSE “Off Camera” Show Gallery 1313
2014 Shows and Publications
Latchman Gallery, Annual Juried Show International Contemporary Artists, “Featured Artist Section” Big Little Art Book, Arts Scarborough Wallflower Exhibition, Arts Scarborough The Bartlett Gallery, “Moody Hues” Group Show Arts Scarborough, Annual Juried Show Cedar Ridge Gallery
Music Awards
Juno Awards: Winner of “Best Blues Album” (1998, 2007), Nominated for “Best Blues Album” (2003, 2011)
West Coast Blues Awards: Winner of “Top Canadian Blues Recording” (1995)
Jazz Report Awards: Winner of “Blues Group of the Year” (1997, 1999)
Maple Blues Awards: Winner of “Electric Act of the Year” (1997, 1999), Nominated for “Bassist of the Year” (1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014)
Canadian Indie Awards: Winner of “Blues Recording of the Year” (2003)
Honorable mention 2012, 2014 ISC (International Song Writing Competition)