Geoff McFetridge Exhibits Prairie-Inspired Paintings

Geoff McFetridge has unveiled a new collection of paintings titled 'Grasslands' at the Cooper Cole Gallery in Toronto. This exhibition showcases rolling landscapes deeply inspired by the Canadian prairies, the region where McFetridge spent his formative years. The collection evokes a sense of quiet power and charged stillness, drawing parallels to the photorealistic and motion-evoking works of the late artist Alex Colville. McFetridge applies a similar sensibility to his depictions of rural scenes and tranquil environments, inviting viewers into a dreamlike state.

Several pieces highlight this immersive quality. "Afloat," an oil and gesso painting, depicts a solitary figure reclining in a soft field of grass, seemingly lost in a peaceful moment of rest or skyward contemplation. Another notable work, "Sleepers," presents a surreal tableau of pickup trucks and boxy SUVs arranged in a traffic circle within a vast, open field. The ambiguity of their presence—whether abandoned or engaged in an endless, aimless circuit—contributes to the understated surrealism that permeates the collection. This deliberate surrealism taps into a profound nostalgia for life's simpler, smaller moments, offering viewers a temporary respite from the pervasive noise of contemporary life.

The Cooper Cole Gallery, located at 1134 Dupont Street in Toronto, ON M6H 2A2, Canada, is hosting 'Grasslands.' The exhibition's thematic scope, as described by the gallery in a statement, extends McFetridge's continuous exploration of perception, memory, and the liminal spaces that exist between direct observation and the realm of imagination. The artworks feature figures, animals, architectural elements, and landscape components that inhabit scenes which are simultaneously familiar and elusive, existing in a state suspended between lived reality and the landscape of dreams. This collection aims to provide a moment of solace and reflection for its audience.

'Grasslands' is on view at the Cooper Cole Gallery through September 5. The exhibition invites a slower pace of engagement, encouraging viewers to immerse themselves in the contemplative atmosphere of the prairie-inspired scenes. McFetridge's work consistently delves into the nuances of human experience and the environment, with 'Grasslands' serving as a poignant testament to the enduring allure of natural landscapes and the introspective moments they can inspire. The gallery's statement further emphasizes the artist's ongoing dialogue with the viewer's own perceptual and imaginative faculties, making each piece a unique encounter.