Jason Trotter: The Existencilist

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Jason Trotter, "The Existencilist," 2022

Jason Trotter: The Existencilist

My work looks at both the modern and historical landscape and imagery of Southern Alberta and how culture, politics, and assumptions frame how we see and interact with them. It uses contemporary mediums and style to look at how our interpretations and relationship to landmarks and iconic figures influence our identities as Southern Albertans.

Stencil artwork is a popular street medium, so as a stencil artist, I am intrigued by the alternate mediums artists find to express themselves. In this series, I explore the urban landscape, specifically that of the railroad that twists and turns through the cities and towns of Western Canada. Train cars that are otherwise plain and unassuming in appearance, are brought to life through the talented artists that use these metal canvases to express themselves. It’s hard to miss these brightly colored, brazen marks and designs when travelling across the open prairie alongside a stretch of train. The goal of this work is not to promote graffiti vandalism, but to acknowledge the art form.

Bio:

After receiving his art education in Edmonton, Jason relocated back to Southern Alberta where he was born and raised, and has called Lethbridge home ever since. His first studio was located downtown and was home to the Potemkin Collective which proved to be instrumental in his development as a contemporary artist, in particular in establishing himself as a stencil artist. Jason has embraced Lethbridge and Southern Alberta into both his career and artwork having worked at the University of Lethbridge Faculty of Fine Arts and as Preparator for the SAAG as well as completing commissions for both the City of Lethbridge and several local businesses. Most of his work focuses on themes and imagery from the area.