BROWSE WHISTLER’S GALLERIES
Whistler has some incredible art galleries to discover, with each one showcasing incredible artistic talent and an openness that invites you in to appreciate it. From iconic Canadian wildlife and landscapes, to internationally renowned contemporary works, to graphically enhanced photographic pieces, the full spectrum is yours to explore.
For 25 years, the Adele Campbell Fine Art Gallery has focused on representing Canada’s finest established and emerging artists, both classic and contemporary. When you visit them inside the Westin Resort & Spa, give yourself time to explore the eclectic works that hang from the walls.
“The colour and energy that ooze off each canvas mirror the vastness and power of the natural surroundings that make Whistler and Canada so unique,” explains Liz Harris, owner and director of the gallery. “Representing these artists is an honour and privilege we are proud to share with those visiting our gallery.”
Cameron Bird has always wanted to capture the wild vivacity of British Columbia in a painting, and since the age of 17, he’s done just that. Given his love of landscape, it’s no wonder that he’s inspired by The Group of Seven, Tom Thompson, and wildlife artist Carl Rungius. Under the mentorship of Canadian artist K.C. Smith, Bird learned how to appreciate and simplify each brush stroke, and this shows in his paintings.
He needed some first-hand experiences to draw from and worked as a packhorse guide in the Chilcotin Mountains, located north of Whistler and known for their incredible vistas. From this time in the mountains and his continued exploration of B.C., Bird’s work captures iconic Canadian subject matter such as a bear foraging in fall foliage, but he gives them his own stylized brush strokes that feel like you’re seeing a moment in time — which can change the next time you blink. Look out for his piece titled “A Winter Supply” — you can almost smell the smoke and feel the last of the sun’s rays before they fade from the sky.
There’s something about Laura Harris’s work that suggests a story. Her bold use of colour and texture make her pieces striking, drawing your eye. This is true for “I Like My Skies a Little Blue Grey,” which you can see when you visit the gallery. Even the title hints at the flirtatious and playful nature that Harris likes to evoke, even when the subject matter itself is stunningly beautiful. The freedom of her painting style makes these flowers come to life, delicate against the dark background, which feels almost ominous. From Victoria, B.C., Harris is a trained graphic designer, although when her artwork shows repeatedly started selling out, she decided to become a full-time artist. Mostly self-taught, her draftsman father taught her perspective and technique but encouraged her to find her own sense of expression, which is exactly what she’s done.
“The work keeps getting deeper, more honest. I continue to work on a piece until I feel it breathe on its own.” - Laura Harris
The Whistler Contemporary Gallery transports you from the snowy stroll of Whistler Village, adorned with its twinkling festive lights, to a chic, cosmopolitan environment that brings the world to the mountains. Showcasing contemporary art from Canadian and international artists, this gallery offers thought-provoking, surprising pieces, and is certainly worth a visit.
The work of Canadian artist Jane Waterous makes you do a double take. From a distance, they look like radiant shapes, images, and wording, but move closer and you’ll see that her famous Gathering Series pieces are made up of small, three-dimensional figures. Each is brightly coloured; the shadows they cast give the illusion of movement as if they’re dancing with complete abandonment. This speaks to Waterous’ vision of her art expressing celebration, the human spirit and the importance of people coming together in this way. Although her pieces are “feel good,” there’s no denying the technical ability required to execute them. After studying at Queen’s University in Ontario, she went on to complete an MFA at New York University, and in 2012 won the Solo Artist Award at the New York Expo. Her work is a delightful pop of colour, texture, and magically comes alive when you view it in person. Who would have a bookcase filled with titles like that? What kind of house would it be in? How often would they flick through their collection? These are the questions that come to mind when you view Max Steven Grossman’s work. A contemporary photographer, Grossman stitches together thousands of photographs to create fictional “bookscapes.” Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, he originally studied engineering and graduated from the University of Philadelphia in 1994. However, his passion was always photography and he went on to study at New York University and completed a Master of Arts from the International Centre of Photography. He melds his background in engineering into his artwork, which is both eerily realistic and completely fictional. Although the libraries he creates with his photomontages look like they could easily adorn the home of an enthusiast, they only exist as digital compositions. The “bookscape” on display at the Whistler Contemporary Gallery has a rock & roll theme, but he’s also covered architecture, fashion, and film, and these can be found displayed around the world. Like the gallery itself, Grossman’s work transports the viewer to another reality — one where the guest might own a bookcase filled with the bios of rock ‘n’ roll stars, choosing one to read while they relax at the end of the day.
“Everything that matters happens when people come together. Life is a series of gatherings that all add up to a life that is lived.” - Jane Waterous
Mark Richards displays his own landscape artwork in his gallery space located in Art Gallery Row next to the Hilton Resort and Spa. He combines photography and painting in his own medium, called photo-stenciling. Focusing on the scenic beauty of the West Coast of British Columbia, he invites people to visit his gallery and look at the way this technique gives his pieces a wonderful balance of colour and light.
“I’m often asked how I get these pieces to have such good light in them and my response is that I control every step of the process in my studio from beginning to end.” Richards says.
Although Richards grew up influenced by his artist father, he ended up studying electrical engineering and working in the tech space before giving in to his passion. His work starts with a photograph, and then he manipulates it — playing with shadow, highlight and texture. By creating several layers he’s able to give the images a sense of intricate detail. Then, using high-end printing equipment and a slightly reflective surface, each piece is screened directly onto the canvas. The result is artwork that literally glows, even in very low-light environments. This process can take Richards a few months and sometimes years, constantly perfecting the way the light plays across the image. Two pieces that really showcase his artistry are “Meadows on Oboe” and “Sunset at Blowdown Pass.” He remembers standing there, taking the shots as the sun set behind the mountains, capturing this incredibly beautiful moment in time. Head into the gallery to meet Richards, who can tell you more about his process and his inspiration.
The team at Mountain Galleries, located at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, specializes in connecting people with the wild and sacred nature of Canada — one painting or sculpture at a time.
“We specialize in the best of Canadian art that brings the outside in,” explains Elizabeth Peacock, co-director and gallery manager. “Visitors who travel to Whistler love the outdoors and we aim to capture the essence of our breathtaking environment so that people can take an element of it home with them.”
You can’t help but want to reach out and touch one of Cathryn Jenkins’ sculptures. The flowing lines and lustrous finishes of the materials she works with make for incredibly tactile pieces of art. At the gallery, you’ll find her bear and eagle sculptures carved from serpentine stone that was created millions of years ago deep within the earth. With its background of black and blue-grey, with splashes of gold and green, this stone brings a unique quality to the iconic Canadian wildlife she captures mid-stride and flight. Influenced by her sculptor mother, as well as Inuit and American sculptors, Jenkins’ work showcases her understanding of line and form, as well as her joy of sculpting the animals she’s bringing to life.
The loose way that Randy Hayashi works with the vibrant acrylics that make up his paintings of iconic Canadian scenes have a way of drawing you in. You can almost feel the cool breeze coming from the snow on the ground, the smell of pine trees, and rough texture of the rocks in his piece titled “Alpine Edge.” A graphic designer and art director by trade, he set aside his design work in 2007 and embarked on a full-time painting career. He revels in the outdoors — hiking, biking and canoeing with his family in the Rocky Mountains and Edmonton’s river valley area. Hayashi works on layering his paintings, creating wonderful colours and rich textures. The crash of the waves upon the rocks in his piece “Sea Wall Waves” shows the dramatic nature of Canada’s shoreline, with its beautiful fall colours and spindly trees barely hanging on as they edge closer to the water. It’s this eye for unique perspectives that makes his work popular and so evocative of the landscapes he’s aiming to capture.