It’s a family affair at the latest visual arts exhibit that’s opening this week in 100 Mile House.
The show at Parkside Art Gallery is entitled Crossing Generations, and although the father-son duo is presenting in different mediums, many of the pieces on display are deeply rooted in the family’s love for the Cariboo-Chilcotin.
“The landscape is quite varied, from mountainous to very flat, and I think that variety gives you lots to work with,” says Jack Monk, who is exhibiting several of his acrylic paintings, of the local inspiration behind much of his work.
Though he is a Lower Mainland resident, the senior Monk has spent no shortage of time in the Cariboo-Chilcotin over the years, something his son, Steve Monk, attributes to his own natural attraction to the outdoors which will also be on display in a series of photographs.
“My parents introduced me to the outdoors as a kid,” the 100 Mile House photographer recalls. “And a good number of the pieces we are presenting are of the Cariboo-Chilcotin.”
It’s the first time exhibiting at Parkside for both artists, who each approached their art forms as more or less hobbies up until about 10 years ago, when the focus shifted to developing their crafts.
Jack tells the 100 Mile Free Press he has been drawing and painting “all my life,” but started investing more time and energy into the skill about a decade ago. “All the pieces you will see are from the past five to 10 years,” he explains.
Steve looks back upon his career taking photos in a similar light – he got his first camera when he was 10 years old and has had one by his side ever since.
While living in the Arctic for 20 years working as a carpenter, Steve says he drew much of his inspiration from the natural landscape up north.
“I gradually discovered new ways of seeing things in the immense land and pristine water up there,” he explains. “When I moved south in the early 2000s, I brought back with me a deeper appreciation of the natural systems that sustain life, and the intention to draw awareness about our threatened eco-systems.”
While the photos Steve will be presenting fall into the category of outdoor photography, they will span a few different genres, including light scenes, landscape, environment and architecture.
He admits that though he is naturally drawn to outdoor photography, he also finds himself expanding into contemplative photography, which he describes as bringing oneself to the simple aspect of form, capturing direct, in-the-moment experiences. “It’s about opening the eye to vivid colour, pattern, textures – things we overlook because of our filters and judgments,” he explains, adding: “But that would have to wait for another exhibit.”
Presenting as a father-son team is something both artists have wanted to do for some time, an opportunity both are thrilled to see come to fruition.
As Jack explains, artistic prowess runs in the family, dating back to grandfathers and great grandfathers who were artists in England and spanning to other family members currently working professionally in the arts.
“Having something to do in common with my son, who is a great photographer, that makes this whole thing that much better,” Jack says.
Crossing Generations runs from Feb. 23 to March 10 at Parkside Gallery (401 Cedar Ave.), with an opening reception featuring both artists on Feb. 24 from 12 to 2:30 p.m.