Emily Condie

With consistent technological advancements, artists have to adapt the parameters of what it means to make a painting. Inspired by the multi-media artists who pushed the material limitations of filmmaking in Expanded Cinema; Expanded Painting features the work of five artists who are redefining what can be considered as a painting. With the incorporation of polysensory elements, and creation of an immersive experience, each piece reminds us that painting still matters in an increasingly digital contemporary art world.

After the creation of the camera, painting had to redefine its own worth, moving away from physical representation, instead exploring emotion through elements of colour, line, shape, texture, and various approaches in mark making. As the camera became more accessible, modern painters established a completely new approach within their practice, now rather than trying to visually recreate something, they wanted to create a new experience for their audience, and explored the different possibilities of doing so through movements of Impressionism, Cubism, Abstract Expressionism, and Surrealism. Within Contemporary Art, painters pushed this investigation further as the world became more interested in technology, valuing what could be made within an instant. Competing with the idea that if you could easily watch a video that tells a story, where images were constantly changing to keep your attention; Painters became challenged on whether something on a 2D static surface could provide the viewer with the same satisfaction.

Expanded Painting explores this history, and invites artists to consider their value as a painter; asking artists to define what painting is rather than what it was, and how incorporating technical elements such as scent, texture, colour and optics to connect with more than one of the 5 senses, may evoke a stronger response from their viewers. Expanded Painting prompts artists to create conversations within their work, inspiring new sensory connections, and ultimately getting the shared feeling of understanding between artist and audience.