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Arts Visual Art

Songs from the Labyrinth is reality

wrapped in a dream
5 months ago by Michelle Falk 2 Comments

Jesse Thomson makes dreamlike canvases // TJ Jans

How would you describe your experience of a dream? Jesse Thomas asks.
The bizarre sequences of events on the canvas have the look of the otherworldly visions of

sleep. Recognizable images of people, objects and places emerge out of obscure cave-like
backgrounds. According to Thomass artist statement for Songs from the Labyrinth, a work of
art is understood to have its own structures, distinct from reality. Art is understood through its
connection to the real world and the viewers experiences. Thomas explains that, even though
there is a lot going on in these paintings and charcoal drawings, there are discernible patterns.
One example is that, in a number of the works, you can see highly realistic views out the
window.

Im originally from New Orleans, so I nd these snowy landscapes very exotic, Thomas
says. The Canadian landscape is having a big effect on me. You know, you go to Jasper and,
whoa, but I cant quite do a straight mountain landscape. Although it is awfully beautiful, I
love just standing there.

The images are surreal, with scenes overlapping and melding into one another. It gives an
impression of a double-exposed lm, unrelated episodes of memories, history and culture
overlapping. The images do not have traditional perspective; rather, each episode within the
painting takes on its own viewpoint, creating strange movement.

Thomas is interested in the connection between the physical world and the ever-changing
constructed lens through which we interpret culture, history and even our memories.
Depictions of real people, science-ction scenes, nature and imagination merge as the artist
explores the relationship between subjective and empirical experience.

The idea is that these paintings are songs from the labyrinth, he says, tapping his temple
with a wry smile.

Thomas joined the University of Alberta as an associate professor in July 2012. The inuence
of Thomas new residence shows strongly in these works, with recognizable scenes of the U
of A campus peeking through windows in three of the pieces.
The artists aim was to see if it was possible to bring elements of culture and history together
with more personal elements: memory, nostalgia and desire. Thomas was interested in
exploring what would happen if these constructed aspects of life communed in a painting
alongside concrete details of the physical world. Through his explorations of those ideas, he
found certain aspects remained eeting to discuss.
Some of our experiences are just visual, and evade accurate translation into words, he says.
Until Sat, Feb 14
Works by Jesse Thomas
FAB Gallery, University of Alberta
#charcoal drawings #dreams #Jesse Thomas #paintings #Reality #Songs from the
Labyrinth #university of alberta

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2 Comments

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June 15, 2015 at 10:34 am

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Reply

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June 17, 2015 at 2:23 pm

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