Ali Basiedji is notable as much for the story behind his art as the expressionistic works themselves. For five years, he has painted – and come to know the locals – in a controversial swath of land expropriated 40 years ago for an airport that has never been built (the Pickering airport, east of Toronto).
Basiedji says the years of working in the area en plein air has given him “a particular feel for the stories of loss and hope associated with the history of these lands.” His paintings aren’t specifically meant to tell that story, but he has “tried to infuse a sense of instability, agitation and irrevocability in these paintings that speak of the eventual disappearance of these fields.”
For now, there is an ever present feral and at the same time domesticated force in these lands in constant opposition of each other and a silent but palpable plea that wants to keep them part of nature. -Artist Statement
Basiedji is an MA graduate student at OCADU. He has exhibited in Italy and London and has an exhibition opening April 28 at Teodora Art Gallery in Toronto, through May 26, 2012.
Teodora Art Gallery Exhibition link, here.
(All images courtesy Teodora Art Gallery)
Categories: environmental art
Canadian Art Junkie 
Lovely and very beautiful. I like such arts. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for visiting here. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLike
What I feel when I look at these is there is always something more beyond the horizon.
LikeLike
Yes indeed . The perspective is very broad, helped by the colors in some way, I think.
LikeLike
My spirit, I guess, responds to the movement in these; it almost makes me dizzy…
LikeLike
I love your comment . What a fitting response to these paintings, especially the dizzy part. Thank you.
LikeLike
Fascinating story and I LOVE the chalky coloured pastels used this way in landscapes.
LikeLike
Yes, the story is such a long-running drama with so many players. But I’m with you, his work is stunning.
LikeLike
Love these!
LikeLike
Thanks for taking the time to say so. He’s an emerging artist, for certain.
LikeLike