By Vaelei Walkden-Brown
Special to the Western
The 557 Artist Block is proud to present Lying Low Looking High: an exhibition of works by Zach Hoskin.
The 557 Artist Block has represented Hoskin since the gallery’s inception in July, 2015.
The public will be most familiar with his prints which show his strong illustration skills and characterize many iconic pop figures including Iggy Pop, Die Antwoord’s Yolandi Visser and American hip hop recording artist, Mick Jenkins.
His new work shows an increase in scale and deeper exploration into his portrait and figurative work. This exploration involves a diverse range experimental techniques which include what Hoskin refers to as “drippy face painting.”
This new work is a much stronger relationship with paint and is a significant departure from his ink work and water colour studies.
The familiar use of strong and dramatic color schemes continues as does the strong illustrative techniques. The drip faces hint at the macabre, but beneath this slight feeling of melancholy is a lightness of spirit that pervades Hoskin’s work. The personalities he now paints are more personal to Hoskin and based on himself, his partner Meri Sawatzky and people in his direct community.
Hoskin’s background is as rich and diverse as his new work.
Hoskin is a visual communicator living in Victoria who studied illustration and print design at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton, and is an independent freelance designer, illustrator, artist, and photographer.
Originally from Alberta, Hoskin studied and worked as a civil engineering technologist before returning to school and pursuing art and design as a full-time career.
Whether it is art or design, it’s all some mutt-mix of problem solving, expression and curiosity. Be gentle, stay open, move forward. Repeat.
The official opening of this exhibition will take place Aug. 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hoskin will be creating a new painting in shop and we welcome you to stop by for some eyeballing of the new work, chats with the artist and enjoyment of some tunes being spun by local DJ Peter Wolf. Light refreshments will be served.
Vaelei Walkden-Brown is the owner and curator of the 557 Artist Block in Penticton.