Artist, Paul Constable, has noticed a disturbing trend in Saskatchewan.
More and more human and animal fatalities, and damage is being done because of wildlife and vehicle collisions, especially through distracted driving and cell phones.
Constable wanted to reflect that in his new show, Oblivious, with sculptor, James Korpan.
“Efforts of legislation by Provincial and Municipal governments, present methods of advertising and signage don’t seem to be making much of a difference,” says Constable.
Deer and moose do not know to look both ways before crossing in signed areas. They cross the highways oblivious to our daily commutes, says Constable.
We are creating too much waste for nature to recycle, whether it be damaged vehicles or animal remains but their is beauty in this process.
“There is a bold beauty in this work in the way nature reintegrates its life living flesh back into the landscape.”
Constable’s paintings mixe the natural with the man made as stark bones contrasting with prairie landscapes; everything from sand dunes, to winter scenes, to forests, and also takes the shape of human inventions like snow breaks, canoes, and lean-tos.
Constable also introduces a three dimensional aspect to the show as well with sculptures of his own to go along with Korpan’s works.
Constable’s “bones” of a destroyed vehicle rests in the centre of the room being circled by birds made from tires, bumpers, and wheel wells.
The “carcass” idea grew from the paintings while Constable was out at an autobody shop but it fits together with the idea of taking care of nature and recycling material through art.
“Most of the auto body shops would gratefully give me plastic because it’s not recyclable. It’s thrown into the landfill.”
Constable’s message with the show is one of preservation of human and animal life and how we are not doing enough to combat the waste on Saskatchewan highways.
“Nobody seems to be stepping up to the plate and saying, ‘how do we fix this problem?’”
The cost of human life, animal life, and damage is mounting and we are too close to the problem to see it but we have to take a step back and ask what we are willing to compromise to help the problem, says Constable.
“What are we willing to give up? Speed? Cell phones?”
Scavengers, including birds, come to highways to eat, so humans are creating a whole new problem of making the highway a place where animal packs specifically come to get food.
“Nature reacts to what we do so if we pulled back, they would pull back.”
Korpan also reuses materials in his eight metal raptor birds, owls and hawks, that are displayed along with Constable’s painting.
Saw blades, bolts, chains, railway ties and anchors all come together to form wide-eyed, quizzical looking birds of prey.
Korpan says he primarily uses repurposed steel and watches how his pieces evolve from there.
Being the oldest son, Korpan had the first crack at his father’s scrap pile for material.
Now he has his own scrap pile at his cabin. Making his sculpture is his summer vacation.
Oblivious will be in the Gallery until Aug. 27 and you can visit the artist’s websites for more of their work, www.paulconstable.com and www.jameskorpan.com.
