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Suite 100
Toronto, Ontario
M5E 0A5
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Scott McFarland is a Canadian artist who studied in Vancouver, and now lives and works in Toronto. McFarland creates large-format photographs combining film and digital processes. His works present both reality and a fabricated version of reality by photographing the same space numerous times, and digitally controlling the final result by layering the images together. While McFarland’s work maintains a strict attention to formal photographic detail, his process allows him to adopt creative painterly qualities. These qualities come to life through alterations of colour, and the juxtaposition of surreal, picturesque, and opposing visual imagery. These have been known to come in the form of opposing seasons, weather patterns, times of the day, or out of place characters and objects. McFarland’s patient process of observation and documentation allows him to paint a portrait of the setting, rather than presenting a glimpse of it through one shutter-stop in time, leading to an enhanced perception of place.
The works on display are Cheltenham Badlands, Olde Base Line Rd, Caledon, Ontario 2011, and Wortley's Wiggle, Caledon Ski Club, Mississauga Rd. Caledon, Ontario 2012. Both of these images depict the Canadian transition between winter and spring. In these selected images we find winter vistas that are rapidly transitioning into spring from one side of the image to the other. In Wortley’s Wiggle, the speed of the transition is made evident by the skiers who are skiing to the bottom of the run at the same time as the snow disappears and spring begins.
In Canada the transition from winter to spring is a welcomed, and celebrated time. Spring marks the emergence from short days, and cold nights to a time of warmth, growth, rebirth and social activity. These images show our close relationship with nature, sparking thought on how the seasons directly affect our lives, and guide our daily habits. We think of how winter can be celebrated, through collective activities such as skiing, and cherish the warmth and freedom that spring seems to bring. But within these images one can also be led to think about how quickly the snow is melting, and the very existence and sustainability of our four seasons are brought to mind.
No.9 is an arts organization that uses art and design to bring awareness to environmental concerns. We deliver programs in schools and in the public domain designed to encourage the use of creative thinking to resolve environmental issues and to promote a sustainable lifestyle.
Presented by No.9: Contemporary Art and the Environment Curated by Cara Said.