Jonathan Forrest: Building Blocks of Colour

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Jonathan Forrest, "Blue Jay," 2017

acrylic on canvas, 66” x 48”

Newzones is pleased to present “Building Blocks of Colour”, a solo exhibition by Jonathan Forrest.

Part of the vibrant next generation of Saskatchewan's abstract painters, Forrest's boldly coloured acrylic paintings playfully reference post-war abstract painting. But instead of introspectively exploring the canvas, Forrest's layered works lift from the surface, tactfully invading the viewers' space.

In his new series, the structures within the paintings becomes more about layering and building areas of colour – enjoying their transparency and pigment mixture, how colours overlap, how the dynamic “sail” images move the eye, and how the positive colour radiates. Inspired by the space and light in his rural Saskatchewan studio, Forrest was prompted to explore a brighter colour range.

“Colour is sensory, it impacts you. It’s emotion and feeling enveloping you. Your eyes soak it in and it's irresistible.”

Jonathan Forrest received both his Bachelor and Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Saskatchewan. He also attended the Emma Lake Artist's Workshop and became an organizer in 2001. His work had been widely exhibited within Canada and can be found in many public collections including: the Canada Council's Art Bank, University of Saskatchewan and the Art Gallery of Alberta.