Living in and among nature at its finest hasn't distracted Aaron Moran from the true nature of his work.
“I'm not necessarily inspired by the elements,” he said during an opening reception for his show, Excavations, at the Ranger Station Art Gallery in Harrison this month.
Moran has been living in the space above the gallery since September, the most current in an ever-growing list of 'artists in residence.'
“I don't do representational work,” he explained. So, you won't see flowers and trees when you go to view his work. No birds, no sweeping vistas and not even portraits.
But that all doesn't mean he isn't appreciating his surroundings. Living in the studio, away from his home town of Langley, has provided the chance to really delve into his own art.
“There is lots of solitude here, and lots of time to do my work,” he said. “I would do this again in a heartbeat. I never realized how much I like it this way.”
Being able to completely focus on his art, while still maintaining his position at UFV as their print, media and sculpture technician, has allowed Moran to complete his “most cohesive collection” ever.
Over the past few months, Moran has been creating three-dimensional sculptures, re-using building materials that were donated or salvaged.
To some, the result is a colourful, modern look at structure and development. To others, the show may just be colourful and modern.
“If on the surface you can say 'wow this is beautiful,' then great,” he said. “But if you can appreciate it on some level” that may be that we need to “do something with the garbage” we're creating through developments.
Ranger Station Art Gallery is open Monday to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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