Douglas Farries
Doug Farries explores our modern-day dilemma of reconciling nature and human progress. He was born in Calgary, and graduated with a Diploma in Painting from what was then the Alberta College of Art in 1985.
His highly-detailed oil paintings explore flora and fauna. One series depicts close-up observations of domestic felines in repose, showing only part of the body or face, exploring the texture and growth of the fur. Leaf reflections on water are rendered almost as abstract paintings, focusing on colour, texture and repeated pattern.
Farries has always been inspired by nature, and by the impact on ecology of human industry and building. One of his approaches is the multi-panel or triptych format, enabling him to link images together to convey a particular idea, and to introduce a sense of time. Some of his triptychs feature a central panel depicting a botanical in lush detail, framed on either side by railway engines or tracks, contrasting natural beauty and industrial progress. Farries has indicated his view of the Canadian National Railway as a unifying force in the building of the Canadian nation, but at the cost of fragile ecosystems. Similarly, some of his sculptures feature railway spikes enclosing a dried flower or delicate bird’s nest, forming a “union of tactile opposites,” in his words.
Farries has had several exhibitions at the Midtowne Gallery in Calgary. His work has also appeared at various other Calgary venues, including the Kensington Art Gallery, the New Gallery and the Triangle Gallery, as well as at Harcourt House in Edmonton, and at the Kunze Gallery, Creston, BC. His work is held by the Cenovus Energy Corporation, and by the Tom Baker Cancer Centre Art Collection, Calgary.
His highly-detailed oil paintings explore flora and fauna. One series depicts close-up observations of domestic felines in repose, showing only part of the body or face, exploring the texture and growth of the fur. Leaf reflections on water are rendered almost as abstract paintings, focusing on colour, texture and repeated pattern.
Farries has always been inspired by nature, and by the impact on ecology of human industry and building. One of his approaches is the multi-panel or triptych format, enabling him to link images together to convey a particular idea, and to introduce a sense of time. Some of his triptychs feature a central panel depicting a botanical in lush detail, framed on either side by railway engines or tracks, contrasting natural beauty and industrial progress. Farries has indicated his view of the Canadian National Railway as a unifying force in the building of the Canadian nation, but at the cost of fragile ecosystems. Similarly, some of his sculptures feature railway spikes enclosing a dried flower or delicate bird’s nest, forming a “union of tactile opposites,” in his words.
Farries has had several exhibitions at the Midtowne Gallery in Calgary. His work has also appeared at various other Calgary venues, including the Kensington Art Gallery, the New Gallery and the Triangle Gallery, as well as at Harcourt House in Edmonton, and at the Kunze Gallery, Creston, BC. His work is held by the Cenovus Energy Corporation, and by the Tom Baker Cancer Centre Art Collection, Calgary.