Dana Irving’s painting style is borne of deep affection for the Canadian landscape. From her childhood in rural Prince George, BC, surrounded by pine trees and lakes, to her subsequent home on the West Coast, nature has left an indelible mark on her sense of aesthetics and place. A musician as well, Irving’s expertise lies in channeling the currents that course through each of us into art, her stylized paintings showing how the different mediums inform each other.
This upcoming exhibition, “Atmosphere,” reveals a mastery in the cadence of shape and color. A form of modern-day animism, her aesthetic imparts a contemporary world in which the elements harmoniously swirl as if in awareness of their similar origins. It serves as a testament to our human experience – rooted in visual representations of the sublime. For several millennia, the fjords and rainforests of the Pacific Northwest compelled its citizens to reflect the natural environment, their cultural output founding a historical context for understanding Dana’s work. From Bill Reid and Emily Carr to Dempsey Bob and Lawren Harris, their work pays respect to our natural surroundings, acknowledging the reciprocal links between all forms of life. The elements that make up our landscape: the water, trees, mountains, and sky are carved out in specific detail, each with their unique character and personal spirit, thriving and coexisting in a comprehensive vision of balance that Irving lovingly assembles for us.
A recurring theme Dana is inspired by is the British Columbian story of Kiidk’yass, otherwise known as The Golden Spruce. This unique, ancient Sitka Spruce, golden instead of green (the result of a rare genetic mutation) was revered by all who knew it. Tourists from all over the world made a mecca of the giant golden tree, and to the indigenous people of Haida Gwaii, it was a powerful totem. In 1997, Grant Hadwin, once employed by the Forest service as a selective logger, felled the one of a kind tree in the act of protest against BC’s clearcut logging practices. After his arrest, he disappeared on his way to trial, never to be seen again, sparking mystery and rumors that persist to this day. Irving’s interest in depicting the tree is largely symbolic as the story represents the continuing struggle for the preservation of our natural landscape. The Golden Spruce resonates as a martyr for BC’s ecosystem. Forged in a perfect storm of circumstance thanks to the climate of Haida Gwaii, it was able to survive. It was unique, a paradox embodying the moral and cognitive dissonance we face as individuals living in modern society.
Dana Irving’s solo show “Atmosphere” opens September 6th at the Ian Tan Gallery.
Please contact the gallery if you wish to preview the exhibition.
Ian Tan Art Gallery Vancouver
2342 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3G3
(604) 738-1077