We first came across the work of Canadian artist Andrew Rucklidge while visiting Art Chicago back in 2007, his paintings exuding a strong sophistication of technique evoking the possibility of dark mystery. The paintings are all rooted in landscape, and though they can be labeled as fantasy of the sublime they have a wide and compelling range of context that strikes a universal chord. In his earlier works, the lushness of his geographic descriptions are overlapped by geometric codes and inscriptions reflecting the human presence and its impact on the scenes, creating a tension that merges the scientific with the romantic in a signature effect. Within the last couple of years Rucklidge has pushed towards a more abstract and perhaps ominous direction that strips away a broader sense of context, pushing the mystery to even deeper and more engaging levels. Never content to confine his output to one methodology, Rucklidge experiments widely with his approach to painting, most recently working with larger encaustics and mid sized oils on linen. In all regards, his work is exquisitely compelling and brings another ideal component to our focus on Canadian artists of great depth.
Rucklidge is based in Toronto but in the summer works out of a studio/shed on lake Huron, a location that quite possibly bears a striking influence on his work. In 2003 he received an MA in Fine Art from Chelsea College of Art and Design, with previous studies in both Microbiology/Immunology and painting at McGill University and Concordia respectively in Montreal. He has exhibited widely in Canada as well as England, and though he has been introduced to American audiences through Art Chicago in the last few years, "You are Here" will mark the first group gallery exhibition for him in the United States.
Andrew's Lake Huron studio shed
Rucklidge has been widely and positively reviewed in the international press, including major reviews in Modern Painters magazine and Canadian Art. His most recent exhibitions have gained positive notice and can be read online at:
View on Canadian Art: March, 2009
http://viewoncanadianart.com/
Eye Weekly: May, 2008
http://www.eyeweekly.com/
View on Canadian Art: March, 2009
http://viewoncanadianart.com/
Eye Weekly: May, 2008
http://www.eyeweekly.com/
Rucklidge has an outstanding hard-cover book published by his Canadian Dealer Christopher Cutts Gallery with views of his paintings from 2005-2007. Plus Gallery will have several copies available at the gallery for purchase in conjunction with the exhibition, or free to those who acquire his work.
To see more on Andrew visit his website at
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