The View Gallery at Vancouver Island University is hosting an exhibition of new paintings by Victoria artist Trish Shwart.
Titled IRL (In Real Life), the collection of work is inspired by imagined, remembered and real landscapes.
“With acrylic, spray paint, collage, stencil and the occasional Stabilo pencil crayon, Shwart weaves a mesmerizing spell that is part fairy tale, part holiday snapshot, and part disaster movie,” reads a news release from VIU. “Large mixed-media paintings on panel and paper, small and intimate gouache paintings, along with a choice selection of oil pastels on paper, make up the works in this must-see exhibition.”
According to the news release, the art in display was inspired by alienation from the natural world and the way screens have changed how people experience nature.
“It is now more difficult than ever to have an authentic experience of our environment without first looking through the filters of nature documentaries, postcard images and/or Instagram posts,” the release added.
The exhibit runs until April 4 and an artist’s reception is planned for Thursday, March 13, from 4-6 p.m. at the gallery. There will be an artist talk on Friday, March 14, from 12-1 p.m. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday.
