Exploring Russell Banx's Grayscale Artistry in Montreal

A split image featuring a grayscale drawing of a nude figure sitting at an easel on the left and a young person with long hair sitting in a blue chair with a small dog wearing a striped shirt on the right. The background includes various sketches and art supplies.

Montreal artist Russell Banx’s unique graphite drawings focus on figuration, particularly the depiction of male adolescents.

Graphite drawing by Russell Banx featuring five male adolescents seated in a dimly lit interior, with one figure holding a flickering flame. — Burning, 2025, *Graphite on paper*, *26.5 x 32.5 in.*

Banx says his works “explore elements of Romanticism, interior sensitivity, and the communicative subtleties of body language.”

Graphite drawing of a male figure lying on grass, resting with eyes closed, surrounded by leaves and flowers.

Banx’s graphite on gesso panels depicts human subjects who appear lost in a deep connection with their accompanying surroundings.
Pangée gallery, Montreal

A graphite drawing by Russell Banx depicting a contemplative male figure sitting on the ground, holding a candle in one hand and a small animal in the other, with elements of nature surrounding him. — Moth, 2025, Graphite on gesso on linen wrapped panel, 13 ¼ x 23 ½ inches / 34 x 58 cm

Banx lives and works in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal. He recently completed residencies at La Napoule Art Foundation in Mandelieu-La Napoule (2024; France) and the Banff Centre for Art and Creativity (2023; Canada). Banx’s work in is the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Canada.