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SATURDAY EVENING POST
January 13th, 2024
Do not miss your chance to view David Spriggs’ exhibition “Dimensionalism”, which concludes next Saturday, January 20th.
Renowned for his unique approach to visual art, "Dimensionalism” is a groundbreaking exhibition that transcends traditional painting and sculpture boundaries.
Based on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada, and originally from the United Kingdom, David Spriggs' work is a journey into the interstitial space between dimensions, beginning his artistic exploration in 1999. His pioneering technique involves layering transparencies and painting on them, creating a visual language that bridges tangible and ethereal realms.
“Dimensionalism” is more than a term, it is a re-definition of a concept in the history of art, it is a concept that reality is a complex composition of interwoven layers rather than confined to a single plane.
One of the exhibition's highlights, "The Paradox of Power" (2007), showcases Spriggs' mastery in exploring space, color symbolism, movement, and perception. This large-scale installation features a life-size stratified bull, cut in two and displayed in adjacent cases. The bull, rendered in plastic anaglyphic binary colors, symbolizes power deconstruction. This technique not only challenges traditional artistic constraints but also engages viewers in a dialogue about power and perception.
Spriggs describes the piece as a "deconstruction of time and form," reflecting his approach to seeking visually captivating and thought-provoking ideas, drawing inspiration from art history, philosophy, and science.
A significant work by Spriggs is "First Wave," produced amid the COVID-19 pandemic and showcased at the Oku-Noto Triennale in Suzu, Japan. This piece, a temporal marker during the pandemic, pays homage to Hokusai's "The Great Wave off Kanagawa," reflecting the interconnectedness of art, current events, and cultural heritage.
Spriggs created “Red Wave” as a continuation of the thematic exploration of movement and energy carried through by "First Wave”.
This work captures the intensity of a tsunami in bold red stroke, evoking intense emotional reactions, and speaks about the impact we have on our environment and climate.
Furthermore, Spriggs' black and white works, which is prominent in this exhibition delves into the symbolic interplay of black and white, exploring themes of duality and power dynamics. Spriggs uses an abstract composition and layering of black and white forms, drawing inspiration from artists such as Mark Rothko and the modernist tradition.
One work that takes on a different form is Aker, which is composed of layered anodised aluminum panels, and created for outdoors. The work is generously on loan from a private collection.
The juxtaposition of solid and void, fundamentally challenges the act of viewing and diminishes the boundaries that separate reality from the intangible.
For Spriggs, art transcends mere creative expression; it is a manifestation of knowledge and a means to engage the public with contemporary scientific research and social issues. He emphasizes, "Each artwork I conceive is unique. I hope visitors will be moved by the artworks and to consider the concepts behind each work." This commitment to deeper meaning echoes his vision of art as a medium for engaging with profound concepts.
Dimensionalism is the act of art that is neither painting nor sculpture, a language that strides beyond installation and transcends traditional categories. Spriggs explains: "It extends beyond visual layering, where viewers perceive each image not in isolation but as an integral part of a whole. Dimensions blur and converge, and each of the artworks appears different from every viewpoint."
This creative journey invites viewers to actively participate in a dynamic narrative, surpassing the role of passive observers to embrace a new, immersive human experience.
Works listed above:
White work: Zenith Series, 2020, Acrylic on layered plexiglass in plexi display case, 60 x 36 x 36 in.
Red and blue work: Paradox of Power, Acrylic on layered PET film in plexiglass display case, aluminum cover base.
Red work: Red Wave, 2022, Acrylic on layered plexiglass in plexi display case, 60 x 60 x 15 in.
Black and white works: Hierarchy and Dichotomy, 2022, Acrylic on layered plexiglass in plexi display case, 22 x 8 x 22.
Layered aluminum work: Aker, 2023, Anodised aluminum, 80 x 80 x 19 in.
Photo Credit: Kyle Juron and David Spriggs
Please do not hesitate to message or call us to inquire about these works.
Our gallery hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 11:30 AM - 5:30 PM. If you would like to see this exhibition outside of our gallery hours, please call us to make an appointment. We look forward to seeing you.
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