Artist: Peter Harris. Statement:

Transcription

1 Artist: Peter Harris Statement: My work takes as its starting point the urban landscape that I see daily - the most interesting to the most banal architecture in the city;; empty pockets in the built environment;; busy streetscapes or forgotten corners- it s all an opportunity to reflect back to a contemporary audience the modern landscape. I always paint from subject matter that I interact with on a regular basis. This allows me the opportunity to revisit an area at different times of day and night, witnessing how changing light can radically alter both the aesthetics and my interpretation of the landscape. The paintings that I create often take differing approaches with the urban landscapesome are an examination of the current landscape as it exists and the tension inherent in that space when shown devoid of human presence. Other paintings I create are designed to self-reference the genre that they are part of-urban landscape painting. The two approaches are born from the same interest- the creation and consuming of pictorial depictions of the urban landscape. When my paintings focus on architecture and surrounding spaces, it is an exercise in observing and exaggerating the aesthetics of the urban landscape illuminated by strong artificial lighting. These paintings are presented as an opportunity for contemplation on the urban landscape, to ask the viewer to slow down and observe that which surrounds us but is often unnoticed, and to reflect on the importance of the urban landscape in our lives. Contrasted with this approach, are my paintings that acknowledge the urban landscape genre that I work in. This is done through the inclusion of historical depictions of the urban landscape, such as those found in the paintings of Edward Hopper. Painted as if on display in the interior spaces of the buildings, Hopper s work shows a secondary depiction of an urban landscape, encapsulated within the modern architecture and in contrast to my own contemporary depiction. It s through this inclusion of his historical interpretation of the city from years past, that I pay homage to paintings which helped define the genre, to set my work in a broader historical context, and to emphasize the ongoing importance of depictions of the urban landscape to audiences past and present.

2 Exhibitions: Solo Exhibitions: 2017 Evening with Hopper, Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON 2016 Hopper s shadow, Ian Tan Gallery, Vancouver, BC. Conversations with Hopper, Galerie d Este, Montreal, QC 2015 New Canadian Landscapes, ByWard Market Gallery, Ottawa School of Art, Ottawa, ON New Canadian Landscapes, The Lindsay Gallery, Lindsay, ON Night Watch, Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON 2014 Night Shift, Galerie d Este, Montreal, QC 2013 New Paintings, Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON 2011 New Paintings, Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON 2010 Montreal suite, Shayne Gallery, Montreal, QC 2009 New Paintings, Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON 2008 New Paintings, Shayne Gallery, Montreal, QC 2007 New Paintings, Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON 2006 The Spaces Between, Robert Langen Gallery, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON 2002 Inside2, Rotunda Gallery, Kitchener City Hall, Kitchener, ON 2000 Urban Planner, Robert Langen Gallery, Sir Wilfrid Laurier University,

3 Waterloo, ON Sunday Dinner Series, Rotunda Gallery, Kitchener City Hall, Kitchener, ON Selected Group Exhibitions: 2015 Landscape/Cityscape, Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON Preview 2015, Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON Artist and Model, Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON 2013 A Distant Intimacy, (2 person w/ Barry Smylie) The Arts Centre, BMFA, Collingwood, \ ON 2011 Preview 2011, Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON Winter Group show, Ian Tan Gallery, Vancouver, BC 2010 Landscape-Cityscape, Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON Fiat Luxe, Oxford Gallery, Rochester, New York, USA 2009 Review 2009, Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON New Paintings, (2 person w/ Sharon Gordon) Oxford Gallery, Rochester, New York, USA Preview 2009, Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON Night, Oxford Gallery, Rochester, New York, USA 2008 Reflections on Spring, Oxford Gallery, Rochester, New York, USA 2007 Review-2007, Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON 2005 Lost Paradise, Oxford Gallery, Rochester, New York, USA Landscape-Cityscape, Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON Three New Artists, Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON Winter Landscapes, Mira Godard Gallery, Toronto, ON 2004 Rotunda Gallery 10 th yr Anniversary Salon Exhibition, Rotunda Gallery, Kitchener, ON Present Tense, Oxford Gallery, Rochester, New York, USA Homecoming, University of Waterloo Art Gallery, Waterloo, ON Antecedents, Artery Gallery, Kitchener, ON 1 st kw/ag biennial, Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, Kitchener, ON 2002 On Canvas, Delicia Art Haus, Toronto, ON Insights, Wellington County Museum & Archives, Elora, ON 2001 Convergence, Gallery 96, Stratford, ON Collections: Suncor, Mississauga, ON Pioneer Petroleum, Burlington, ON OPSEU, Toronto, ON Real Facilities, Toronto, ON Colart Collection, Montreal, QC Tech Capitol Partners, Waterloo, ON KSAL, Erfurt, Germany

4 Waiting Room Giclee on Watercolor Paper (14 x 8.5 ) Edition of 10 $200.00

5 Back Entrance (Morning Sun) Oil on Canvas (23 x 46 ) $3,600.00

6 Windows at 31 (Room in Brooklyn) Oil on Canvas (30 x 36 ) $3,400.00

7 Western View SOLD Oil on Canvas (24 x 46 ) $3,600.00

8 February Evening Oil on Canvas (24 x 52 ) $3,600.00

9 Evening Shift Oil on Canvas (24 x 54 ) $3,600.00