Hardware Gallery in Kentville kicks off 2019 with new show
outlets dictate use of the land and proclaim its occupation. I like the idea of subverting the romanticized untouched Canadian environment, iconized in art history in such celebrated work as the Group of Seven,” said Bishop in a prepared statement.
“Commercialism and advertising is so mainstream that we are desensitized to it, but under the frame of landscape painting something changes, and we’re left to question intention. For this exhibition, I decided to take the opportunity to curate a show of work focusing on billboards and tractor trailer ads. The paintings shown are a range of work and, I believe, show a breadth of approaches to my process. I want my paintings to represent a sense of excess and consumption while remaining open to interpretation; ranging from romantic, folky or humorous to politically charged with appropriation and environmental impact.”
Bishop regularly shows his paintings between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. His work is in numerous public and private collections across Canada, including The NB Art Bank, The NS Art Bank, The Canada Council Art Bank, The Department of Foreign Affairs, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery, TD Bank, McCain, and Stewart McKelvey Law Firm.
“Jack looks at our commercial environment with a humorous yet questioning eye, giving us cause for thought and even concern. A fresh, different perspective (that is) definitely worth checking out,” said Hardware Gallery director Sasha Nelson.
Nelson is credited with getting the ball rolling on having the gallery opened as a public creative art space in Kentville. Hardware Gallery hosts monthly rotating exhibits, workshops and talks.