Artist Statement
Classical Vistas of the Heart and Urban Spaces
Inspired by several trips to Italy, France, and England, the photographs in my Classical Vistas series express my reverence for the “old world” landscapes and architecture that have always captivated me. Despite growing up in Canada, I feel a strong connection to the art and culture of Europe. Faced with the distinctive characteristics of continental scenery—its land that seems layered with stories, its Renaissance and Gothic facades worked by the hands of master artists—I am overwhelmed by the impact of that cultural heritage.
We live in a globalized world and, here in Canada, we come from diverse backgrounds, often with unsettling relationships with Europe’s history and legacy. I find in Europe’s art and architecture the pull of a connection, and the recognition of a beauty that can inspire all people. My photographs of European landmarks act as a celebration of that beauty, brought back to the so-called “new world” as a way to remember those moments of inspiration I experienced before the “muse” of classical vistas.
Printed on watercolour or light-jet metallic archival papers, the pieces in this series reflect the fall and winter light of Italian landscapes, finding contrast in the hues and moods created across botanical and aquatic scenes. In France, I was struck by the symmetry of parks and roads—calm configurations that make space for the busy rush of a Parisian day. And in England, I captured London’s palimpsest of history and modernity, with new edifices emerging against a backdrop of aging architecture. In all of my pieces, I focus on the compelling contrasts between the past and the present, and the energy provided by the people who continue to inhabit structures that have stood through such tempestuous histories.