Sometimes, observing nature can be so awe-inspiring that it leaves a lasting impression. This sense of awe is what artist David Lidbetter communicates with his exhibit, Impressions, on display at Wall Space Gallery from Nov. 10 to Dec. 2.
The exhibit highlights the quiet isolation of the Canadian wilderness through landscape paintings, loosely inspired by 19th-century impressionism, an artistic movement that focuses on emotion and vague impressions rather than realistic details.
Lidbetter says, “It’s not Impressionist paintings, but it’s my impression of a painting.”
An avid outdoorsman from the Ottawa-Gatineau region, Lidbetter has portrayed the emotions he feels when exploring the outdoors for the past decade. These emotions shine through with his large brush strokes, vivid colour-blocking, and contrasting light.
“Through his sensitive eye for harmonious and discordant colour relationships, Lidbetter allows us to share in his observations of the changing seasons,” curator Tiffany April writes on the Wall Space Gallery website. “These moments resound as both personal and universal experiences of our surrounding wilderness as a breathtaking space of refuge and quietude.”
David Lidbetter, North and South. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Lidbetter says this feature of his work is one of his favourites.
“One of the things that I appreciate about my work, and what other people appreciate about my work, is that they’re often scenes that are less appreciated by people and that go unnoticed,” he says. “I want people to have that feeling they get when they open up the tent in the morning when they’re camping and they look out on the lake and see the mist, the quiet, and the solitude of Canada. That’s what I hope to get across.”
Lidbetter says he is proud of his work in this exhibit, as it is a culmination of his dedication throughout the past couple of years. He says when other artists faced more challenges during the pandemic, he found himself travelling and painting even more.
“When a lot of people may have run away from this situation, I sort of hung on and fought my way through it, and I think it’s inspired me a lot more with the work that I’ve done,” he says. “I’ve worked very hard to put together a complete show, and I’m hoping that the general public would appreciate it. I hope they have a chance to go in and see it and possibly reflect on their own environment and what they see every day.”
Impressions is on display for sale at the Wall Space Gallery on Bank Street starting Nov. 10 until Dec. 2. There will be an artist reception on Nov. 18 from 3–5pm at the gallery. For more information, visit their website.
