Known for immersing the canvas with striking and pulchritudinous brush strokes encapsulating nature, art history, popular culture, and music, Rodney Graham was able to transcend the limitations of contemporary art and emerge as a Canadian icon illuminating photo conceptual creations. Embedded in his artistic work are themes of psychological, literary and musical artefacts, technologies involving optical mechanisms, and film. Receiving his education from the Vancoever school for artists, has enabled him to synthesize the movement of photo concepts with his artworks consisting of textual artifacts founding sculptures , mysterious photographs of transposed Welsh Oak trees, and art in motion picture like format showcasing the superfluous repetition of present day.
On observing one of his paintings titled ‘The Maiden,’ varnished with acrylic gesso, spray paint and paper on canvas, it can be seen that it incorporates a style very similar to abstract art however not entirely. Upon close analysis, the copper and burgundy brush strokes cascading down in a waterfall like fashion represents the hair of a maiden along with the delicate and intricate details of facial features with peachy tones displaying the maiden’s face. Moulding the maiden into the subtle background of pale blue, ashy grey, soft yellow and diluted pink hues, mystifies the painting further.
Graham’s showcasing of the oak tree’s which fuse together concepts of minimalism and the written works of Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud has received critical acclaim on an international basis. Another one of Graham’s work utilising painted aluminum light boxes with transmounted chromogenic transparencies; diptych that exudes an air of creativity is the artwork titled Actor/Director. Emanating an air of distinguished and complex claymation despite the fact that the material used to create it does not include clay gives this artwork an almost animated feel. It is unique in how the representation of a human being despite the Actor/Director being classified as contemporary artwork is having the individual in the piece sport the attire of a nineteenth century European male. The deep pastel blue of the camera emulates the texture of fondant used to frame and ornament pastries. Overall the artwork radiates an air of aristocratic class and serenity assisted by the vibrant green hedges circumferencing the main scene.
Graham’s achievements surpass being the representative of Canada, at the prestigious 1997 Venice Biennale. He has also been awarded the Kurt-Schwitters-Preis in 2006 and the Gershon Iskowitz Prize in 2004. Numerous solo exhibitions have also been showcased by Graham, with one of the most illustrious venue’s at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Thara Menon is currently a student of Waterloo majoring in Theatre and Performance. She has studied and practised East Indian ethnic cultural arts involving Carnatic music, and dances such as Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, and Kuchipudi. Her hobbies include playing the piano, and violin. She inspires to create awareness and increase exposure to the Canadian community about the Eastern artforms.
