When thinking of Vancouver it's easy to think about city life and all the hustle and bustle that goes with it, but as much as we perceive that as Vancouver, this city has another side, perhaps even, a softer side.
In the current exhibition at Art Works Gallery by acclaimed artist
Ken West entitled
Vancouver, West explores our day to day life in this fair city. Not the coffees at Starbucks, the traffic jams, or even the construction. He literally depicts our neighbourhoods, side streets, driveways and the places we pass everyday and perhaps fail to notice. Much like his last solo show,
Shifting Focus in October of 2006, West allows us to take a look at what we're missing. West explains, "I like to try and give the viewer a different perspective or appreciation of the familiar. I like to try and cross the line, or straddle the line between a conventional perspective and an abstract or surreal one." The result is work that is bold in its mastery of representation and seemingly subdued in subject matter. But that could be a metaphor for Vancouver as well.
West admits that he is "always searching of ways to present the information as succinctly as possible" which definitely shows; there never seems to be a brush stroke out of place resulting in paintings as taut as the canvases themselves. When asked if he ever considers his commercial market when creating work he says it rarely enters his mind. He explains: "my goal is to satisfy my artistic expression. I think if you start taking too many external conditions into consideration, you interfere with the process. I'm never sure where I'm going to end up when I start to paint. It's best to just get out of your own way and let the painting guide you."
West's paintings have clearly guided him in the right direction. His focus on our everyday Vancouver makes for a surprisingly interesting exhibit. The seemingly simplistic pieces offer moments of reflection in an otherwise busy city lifestyle.
Vancouver will be exhibited at Art Works Gallery May 5th - June 7th
www.artworksbc.com
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