Jay Bigham: Turbulent Skies
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Udell Xhibitions 10332 124 St, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1R2
Jay Bigam, "Turbulent Skies," 2018
acrylic on canvas, 48" x 60"
Turbulent Skies Opening September 15th, 2-5pm.
Collaborative Art Project Featuring Painting, Photography and Storms!
Jay Bigam’s work is inspired by landscapes, sky, water, ice, and especially of his home, Alberta. In the fall of 2016, Bigam attended ChaserConCanada, a weekend convention of storm chasers and photographers from across Canada. The photographs and video of severe weather over this weekend were a revelation to him. He realized his style could be refined to reflect actual weather formations, while still being true to his current explorations of abstract land and skyscapes. Jay also realized these storm chaser photographers are artists, creating stunning images of clouds, lightning and sometimes, tornadoes. Almost every chaser he’d spoken with said to him, “You must go on a chase to experience the true impact and raw power of a storm. It will change the way you look at the sky.”
In 2017, Bigam worked with the 6 storm chaser photographers and accompanied each of them on a chase. Post chase, they chose a photograph that was iconic of that chase. He then began to interpret each of these photographs on a large canvas.
Jay Bigam undertook this project with several goals in mind. Foremost of these was to develop his abstract style to be more reflective of actual weather phenomena and to learn more of the science behind what causes the various cloud formations and storms that we see in Alberta.
“I have been intrigued to see what effect the “raw power” of seeing a storm up close (safely) has on my art. I learned a tremendous amount from these accomplished chaser photographers. Composition and photographic techniques present a whole new challenge when your subject moves at 40km/h with hail, heavy rain and lightning.” -Jay Bigam