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The New Contemporary Art Magazine
Rendered in watercolor and gouache, the landscape drawings of Bryce Lafferty evoke both scientific diagrams and a more abstract devotion to nature. The artist says these works are often based on place he's been to, and are birthed from "meshing together memories with categorical knowledge, like science, philosophy, or history." To some, his work may evoke the watercolored tones of Rob Sato or the admiration of the natural world found in the early work of Josh Keyes.
Originally hailing from Germany, New York based artist Daniel Rich creates meticulous acrylic paintings of an empty, man-made world. Although completely devoid of human presence, his paintings are not without character. Rich chooses to celebrate the rich vibrancy and design of architectural structures, which appear smooth, intricate and appealing. The absence of people also brings out an eerie quiet and calm to what should be bustling urban cities. They are failed utopias- Rich's ideas about what the future of human civilization could look like.
Seattle based artist Claire Johnson and Canadian artist Brad Woodfin each portray their own take on natural beauty with realistic detail. While Johnson overpowers her canvases with largescale aerial landscapes, Woodfin's animal subjects are mysteriously bereft of their environment. Opening tonight, the two artists will debut their new works together at Roq la Rue Gallery in Seattle.
Buenos Aires, Argentina based artist Victoria Baraga uses unique materials to create her surreal landscape paintings. Working in mainly oils on non-permeable surfaces such as photographic paper or glass, she is able to evoke the illusion of shape, movement and dimension. Baraga creates textures with paper and other objects to the effect of decalcomania or East Asian ink wash painting.
Jeff Soto (HF Vol. 18) celebrated his first solo exhibition in Los Angeles since 2009 on Saturday night with "Nightgardens" at KP Projects/MKG. We recently discussed the exhibition with Soto in our studio visit here, where Soto shared his continued interest in landscapes: "Nightgardens" is an exploration of the magic and mystery in life coupled very loosely with the tradition of landscape painting. For this show I am using the concept of "nighttime" as a symbol of the unknown. I'm working on creating an imaginary world of magic, monsters and daydreams that exists in a different time and place, yet alludes to issues in our chaotic modern world."
Photos by Curtis Cole. Portland based artist Mark Warren Jacques (previously featured here) makes dreamy, futuristic paintings using various elements of form, color and shape. His upcoming exhibition "Looking at You - Looking at Me", opening June 4th at Flatcolor gallery, exercises these motifs in a series of new seascapes. Warren sees the universe in a unique way. He aims to capture a newfound sense of infinity in these vast, unending places rendered from personal memories. Get a look inside the artist’s studio as he prepares for his new exhibit after the jump.
Swedish artist Lars Daniel Rehn's paintings of a growing northern village are simple while also complex. In his own words, he's telling "a story about people living in a land somewhere far far away... You can say they live in a nuclear iceage." In the beginning, the village is more barren. Over time, the villagers come to deal with a series of equally serious and humorous events. A closer look reveals them to be building roads, succumbing to sickness, rallying over rival soccer teams, and even being invaded by aliens.