Peter Adams showing new work in Midland
Creemore artist Peter Adams is showing his Troposphere series in Midland until the end of the year.
Derived from the Greek work for ‘change,’ troposphere refers to the lowest and densest level of the earth’s atmosphere. Ranging from 7-20 km in thickness, it is where almost all weather occurs. The experience of the ubiquitous troposphere is something that is shared by all cultures. For many, it is the only connection to the natural world that they experience on a daily basis. It is from this dynamic and turbulent realm that Adams has drawn inspiration for his most recent series of mixed media cloudscapes.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland and raised in Toronto, Adams has a degree in film studies from Queen’s University. He now directs all his creative energy toward painting. Since moving to a farm near Creemore in 1998, he has spent many years exploring the surrounding landscape and the ever-changing human relationship with landscape. He is especially interested in the realm in which human and natural worlds meet both in harmony and in opposition.
“For this most recent series of cloudscapes, I have removed much of the earthly context and most references to human engagement with the landscape,” said Adams. “I have focused on a somewhat abstracted interpretation of cloudscapes inspired by the hilltop area south of Creemore that is sometimes referred to as Mount Zion. To my knowledge, the only community buildings that once existed in Mount Zion were the church and the schoolhouse, but it was most certainly a community to the handful of farm families of the area in years past. There isn’t a sign or any evidence of a community having existed here now, and I suspect most people that drive past the various farms here would not even have heard the name Mount Zion. But there’s something unique about the relationship between land and sky along this plateau. Stylistically, my work has changed quite a bit over 17 years but I continue to be inspired by Mount Zion. My work is continually evolving and it seems as if the skies here have been continually evolving with me.”
Although this series is less about the human relationship with landscape, these pieces feature a more angular, almost architectural rendering of our troposphere. Indeed, although they draw inspiration from a rural environment, they are rendered in a style that is reminiscent of the very human phenomenon of urban graffiti. Even without any evidence of human constructions, the human influence on the natural world seems inescapable.
An oil painter for 25 years, Adams’ most recent work is marked by a transition to mixed media. This most recent series combines conte, spray paint, paint markers, graffiti mops, oil sticks and oil paint.
Troposphere is being shown at Quest Gallery, in the Midland Cultural Centre, located at 333 King Street.
The opening reception is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, with remarks from the artist and curator at 8 p.m.
The show continues until Dec. 31.
