The exhibition features high realism wildlife portraits on scratchboard, the detailed works showcasing Cole’s technical ability while also creating a connection to the viewer through his expressive depictions of the animals.
Cole is a visual artist, photographer, writer, and aspiring naturalist based in Toronto. His work explores the natural world and, according to Cole’s website, aims to ‘rebuild connections between our natural spaces and our minds.’
While Cole works in several mediums, he is most known for his scratchboard art. Also known as scraper board, the technique was introduced in the 19th century.
The artist coats a surface with a substance such as black ink and then scrapes away in order to create the picture.
“Scratchboard, by its very construction and purpose, is a very fragile medium – you create by taking away and any missed stroke could ruin what you have created so far,” Cole explained. “Humanity and its relation to nature is quite similar. Humans create their society by taking away, cutting down and stripping the resources to create their cities and culture. Their impact on the wildlife and habitats around them is deeply affected by this process, but also in how they build their culture, the stories told and myths created.”
The opening reception for Scratching the Surface is July 5 at 7:30 p.m. The show runs until July 27.
The Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
