Myth by Tony Partridge July 5th- August 28th, 2025
Join us in the gallery on Saturday, July 5th from 1:00-4:00pm for an opening reception celebrating the works of Crowsnest Pass based artist Tony Partridge.
Light refreshments will be provided and attendance is free!
“The sun arriving,
Illuminating the world’s greening,
I pick up my brush”
The Art of Landscape: a complex narrative.
“Nature” is the english language designation for the biosphere that we are embedded in on this fragile rock floating in the infinity of space time. This “nature” is a cultural, economic mythological construct imposed on the evolutionary process we also call “life”. All cultures have a definition of this natural world that reflects our connection, exploitation, impact and history within this complex and evolving space, which we cohabit with all other species. It is a relationship shaped by the forces of survival in the face of competition for resources within a complex food chain. Our ascendancy within this feeding system is pushing us towards potential extinction and is fuelling mass extinctions across the planet. With the exception of the emergence of the industrial and digital ages we have historically defined our relationship with nature as being sacred with a range of obligations, often religious, often cooperative, guided by a certain knowledge of reciprocal patterns, governing agriculture practices and hunter gathering. Most of our myths reflect this foundational relationship.
As a landscape painter my practice has become a process of documentation which seeks to encapsulate the demise of this sacred system by capturing/framing imagery that is complex and iconic. Basic natural elements such as plant life, water sources and the surface appearance of a pristine beauty all of which attains the status of the legendary in our contradictory presence and impact on that which sustains us.
In my art practice at most locations, I usually start by study drawings, some quick watercolour work, then a pile of photos, including close ups of certain light effects and coloration and overall composition. All of it then ends up at the studio where I sift through all of the data and proceed to the final finished work...more or less.
As much as possible I try to immerse myself in the location through observation and contemplation. Some of the locations, I am extremely familiar with, such as Lynx Creek falls that I have been visiting for over forty years. These places are sacred to me. Unlike many contemporary landscape painters, I seek an authentic reflection of the colouration that the biosphere presents to me.
I have no need to exaggerate or “sex” up the colours encapsulated on the canvas. Although many of the works by contemporary artists, that intensify and chromatically enhance their interpretations are very compelling and dramatic, I just am not interested in exaggerating or inserting what is not there. It’s not to say that I don’t respect or admire the current trends, it’s just not an approach that interests me in my own work.
The fecundity and richness of this biosphere is what fascinates me and is enough to absorb my painter’s eye. I’m also not particularly interested in the grand vistas, the long broad views: my eye is drawn to more intimate cloaked realities, the close up vibrant and intense places that dwell in heavy shadow, penetrated by moments of brilliant light. These are the places where all the small things dwell, the fish, the birds, the insects and floral life… and of course where the still and the flowing waters strike at the heart of me.
With tongue in cheek, my answer to that ancient Zen Koan, “what is the sound of one hand clapping” is simply, “my sound of one hand clapping is when I paint.”
With this exhibition I have included an acknowledgment and honouring of my first art teacher, my father. One wall will include a brief statement and display of a few works by him, plus one of my own done in collaboration with him a few years before his passing. Please take the time to read and reflect on these works and my statement honouring him.
Well friends I hope you will enjoy these works and thank you for attending the opening or for your subsequent attendance during its tenure here at the lovely, intimate Lebel Mansion Gallery. I wish to thank the Allied Arts Council of Pincher Creek for this opportunity to show my works.