{"id":38710,"date":"2017-07-06T15:44:02","date_gmt":"2017-07-06T19:44:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.artoronto.ca\/?p=38710"},"modified":"2017-08-09T17:59:10","modified_gmt":"2017-08-09T21:59:10","slug":"steve-driscoll-finn-ohara-size-matters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/v2.artoronto.ca\/?p=38710","title":{"rendered":"Steve Driscoll + Finn O’Hara: Size Matters"},"content":{"rendered":"

The McMichael Gallery \u2013 home to the acclaimed Group of Seven collection \u2013 bridges the stark boundary between the natural and man-made worlds. It was the Group\u2019s mandate to establish a distinct Canadian cultural identity by bringing the wonders of the country\u2019s landscapes to the galleries. Many Canadian artists have used this for their own inspiration, and Steve Driscoll and Finn O\u2019Hara advance it even further through Size Matters<\/em>: a collaborative exhibition combining Driscoll\u2019s unique \u201calchemist\u201d paintings and the magnificent atmospheric photography of O\u2019Hara. Although technology progresses society towards urbanization, Millennials are increasingly allured back to nature. Driscoll and O\u2019Hara strive to insert vibrant and naturalistic scenes back into the concrete jungles. Brilliant images of lakes, rivers, and forests are planted into impromptu cityscapes and outdoor areas.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Finn O\u2019Hara in collaboration with Steve Driscoll, For a Moment, 2014, Digital Chromogenic Print, 45″ x 60\u2033. Courtesy of the Artists<\/p>\n

Driscoll\u2019s painting is unique; they are by no means paintings in traditional understanding. Rather than resort to classic oil, acrylic, or watercolor mediums on ordinary canvas, he blends colored pigments with urethane chemicals, which gives the works a luminous sheen. His style is much more animated and dynamic, with explosions and streams of color flooding the styrene surface (a material commonly used for credit cards).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Steve Driscoll,\u00a0Snow Covered Morning, 2016,\u00a0Urethane on plastic panel, 80″ x 108″. Private collection<\/p>\n

Moreover, the pieces are sizably large, often dividing into multiple panels. In doing so, this establishes a monumental sense of scale that surrounds the viewer. As only example, What Myth <\/em>consists of three huge panels, covering an entire corner of the gallery space. It depicts the aurora borealis with mixture of vibrant colors that is then illuminated with gallery lights. Standing between the panels gives the feeling of being surrounded by the Northern Lights, and the harmony of colors leaves much for the viewer to explore. Appropriate to the gallery setting, Driscoll owes much of his inspiration to the Group of Seven, having traveled out into the Canadian wilderness himself, seeking original ways in bringing its awe and wonder to urban galleries.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Installation view with Steve Driscoll, What Myth, 2016,\u00a0Urethane on three plastic panels, 102″ x 240″. Courtesy of Angell Gallery, Toronto and Peter Robertson Gallery, Edmonton. Photo: Simon Termine<\/p>\n

With these landscapes, O\u2019Hara then introduces them to settings \u201cforeign to the production and even subject matter of the paintings themselves.\u201d His history of photography strives for cinematic effect and strong visual storytelling.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Finn O’Hara & Steve Driscoll, Some roads were not made For such journeys, 2017, Digital Cromogenic Print, 59″ x 79″.\u00a0Courtesy of the Artists<\/p>\n

The depiction of the aurora borealis now appears on a busy Toronto intersection; an image of a rising sun peering through towering trees stands in contrast to a darkened forest shrouded in fog; and a painting of a sun-bathed shoreline is now being playfully held by an exuberant Steve Driscoll standing in a river.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Finn O’Hara & Steve Driscoll,\u00a0A River Can Grant You Visions, 2014,\u00a0Digital Cromogenic Print, 45” x 60″.\u00a0Courtesy of the Artists<\/p>\n

O\u2019Hara\u2019s photographs range from dramatic and deeply contemplative moments to ones that are more witty and candid. Like Driscoll, he offers plenty to explore, even beyond the inserted paintings. The sheer detail and quality of these works encourage viewers to study the scenes closely and absorb as much of the laden stories as possible.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Finn O’Hara & Steve Driscoll, Safely Through the World of Dreams, 2016,\u00a0Digital Cromogenic Print, 45″ x 60″.\u00a0Courtesy of the Artists<\/p>\n

Size Matters\u00a0<\/em>delivers on its promise of scale. Aside from the works themselves being large in size, the landscapes they represent are sprawling and bustling with activity. The combination of Driscoll\u2019s vivacious colors and sheer energy with O\u2019Hara\u2019s astute attention to detail and captivating narratives offers a strong visual experience with plenty to see and explore.<\/p>\n

Simon Termine<\/p>\n

Note: The images are reproduced with the permission of the artists and McMichael Canadian Art Collection<\/p>\n

*Exhibition information: March 11 – August 20, 2017, part of Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival,\u00a0A Primary Exhibition organized by the McMichael Canadian Art Collection,\u00a010365 Islington Ave, Kleinburg, ON. Gallery hours: Mon – Sun, 10 am – 5 pm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Simon Termine<\/strong><\/p>\n

The combination of Driscoll\u2019s vivacious colors and sheer energy with O\u2019Hara\u2019s astute attention to detail and captivating narratives offers a strong visual experience with plenty to see and explore.<\/p>\n

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