Bruce Pashak Speaks Easy

This week in art, a weekly heads up on the Vancouver arts scene.

An interesting thing happens when street artists paint on whatever surface they can find. There are often odd ridges and textures in the paint, as well as a variety of colours in the background. I love this. It speaks of place and environment and the art gains a new level of depth - literally. However, these street pieces are also often rushed and unfinished given the nature of the genre. Now enter Bruce Pashak who uses a similar multi-layering technique to his advantage. His art reveals an assortment textures juxtaposed against exquisitely drawn forms - horses, dogs, kittens, nudes, insects - and colorful patterns. The effect is something like finding a sketch on a piece of wallpaper in a back alley, only better. This Friday it's at the Snap Gallery.

Pashak's newest paintings are in a series called "Jumping Thunder" and feature paintings of an Aboriginal Chief overlaid in words and patterns. For added effect, some of these are done in fluorescent ink. The exhibit, which is titled "Speak Easy" opens on Feb. 23rd at 6 PM (with the artist in attendance to handle any tricky questions) and will stay on until March 26th.

Image (top) is "The Common House Fly (What Small Worlds Tell Me)", image (above) is Housefly, courtesy of the artist.

Snap Gallery
190 West 3rd Avenue
www.snapart.ca
604-879-7627