Surrogates (2010)
These paintings focus on masculinity, dislocation and place. Since moving to Alberta from Eastern Canada a decade ago, I have been struck by the transient nature of this part of the country, as well as the inevitable tensions and changes that occur with the influx of those who flock to oil-rich provinces. This migration, although prominent in Alberta, is a global phenomenon with implications that reach beyond provincial boundaries. My paintings, while not a criticism of change or transience, are nevertheless inspired by this place and are the result of my search to understand and reference the narratives of this historical moment. They also often play on the mythology that continues to evolve regarding the “settling” of the west.
