All of my paintings begin with simple gestural studies.
It could be negative space between two dilapidated homes,
how a softening of the shoulders or turn of the head effects our understanding of one another,
or the profile of a woman's jacket being caught by the wind.
Articles of clothing are often important motifs.
In one painting, exaggerated earrings project confidence and in others the traditional Indian chunni is featured,
a colourful fabric scarf which traditionally is worn to cover the head as a sign of respect and modesty.The influence of these items are especially evident in my use of colour (iridescent, rich earth-tones as well as pastels).
Both natural and built landscapes figure largely into my inspiration as well.
Most often the rural expanses of my birthplace of Alberta and past travels to India, my parent’s birthplace.
Whether the subject is of objects, a landscape, or the relationship of a portrait to the space they occupy, they typically remain abstract studies rather than representations. It is the act of simplifying the image to shapes and colours and building up its texture that brings forth a painting. Each piece having a bit of a will of its own. Educated as an architect, the method of layering and mark-making formed during my design education and developed with my painting is still prevalent, bringing texture to form.
Whether the final painting will be understood as a landscape, or a woman embracing a child is inconsequential.
These starting points are often abstracted and obscured as I work and re-work a composition.
My hope is to make a beautiful painting that connects with the people in the room.
Exhibitions Past and Present
October 2020 - Present
Alpenglow Projects Gallery
by appointment only (link below).
alpenglowprojects.com/Rubeena-Ratcliffe
1000 Parker Street, Vancouver, BC
2018 September to Present
JF Chen Art Gallery, LA, California
www.jfchen.com/contact
1000 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles
2020 January
Van Der Plas Gallery, NY, NY
156 Orchard Street
2019 October 15 to 2019 December 15
The Apartment| Casestudy Studio
by appointment only (link below).
www.eventbrite.ca/o/casestudy-studio-26512210405
#30 - 857 Beatty Street, Vancouver BC
2019 Feb to 2019 April
The Aviary
637 E 15th Ave, Vancouver BC
2018 December to 2019 September
Vancouver Special
3612 Main St, Vancouver BC
2019 March to 2019 April
The Hatch
289-2366 Main Mall, Vancouver BC
2017 - September - Solo Exhibition
Ace
10055-80.Ave.NW,Edmonton,AB
2017 - October - December - Exhibition
Mile Zero Gallery
Edmonton,AB
Artworks
2003 - Present
Steel Sculpture, Public Art
Whyte Avenue,Edmonton,AB
All of my paintings begin with simple gestural studies.
It could be negative space between two dilapidated homes,
how a softening of the shoulders or turn of the head effects our understanding of one another,
or the profile of a woman's jacket being caught by the wind.
Articles of clothing are often important motifs.
In one painting, exaggerated earrings project confidence and in others the traditional Indian chunni is featured,
a colourful fabric scarf which traditionally is worn to cover the head as a sign of respect and modesty.The influence of these items are especially evident in my use of colour (iridescent, rich earth-tones as well as pastels).
Both natural and built landscapes figure largely into my inspiration as well.
Most often the rural expanses of my birthplace of Alberta and past travels to India, my parent’s birthplace.
Whether the subject is of objects, a landscape, or the relationship of a portrait to the space they occupy, they typically remain abstract studies rather than representations. It is the act of simplifying the image to shapes and colours and building up its texture that brings forth a painting. Each piece having a bit of a will of its own. Educated as an architect, the method of layering and mark-making formed during my design education and developed with my painting is still prevalent, bringing texture to form.
Whether the final painting will be understood as a landscape, or a woman embracing a child is inconsequential.
These starting points are often abstracted and obscured as I work and re-work a composition.
My hope is to make a beautiful painting that connects with the people in the room.
Exhibitions Past and Present
October 2020 - Present
Alpenglow Projects Gallery
by appointment only (link below).
alpenglowprojects.com/Rubeena-Ratcliffe
1000 Parker Street, Vancouver, BC
2018 September to Present
JF Chen Art Gallery, LA, California
www.jfchen.com/contact
1000 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles
2020 January
Van Der Plas Gallery, NY, NY
156 Orchard Street
2019 October 15 to 2019 December 15
The Apartment| Casestudy Studio
by appointment only (link below).
www.eventbrite.ca/o/casestudy-studio-26512210405
#30 - 857 Beatty Street, Vancouver BC
2019 Feb to 2019 April
The Aviary
637 E 15th Ave, Vancouver BC
2018 December to 2019 September
Vancouver Special
3612 Main St, Vancouver BC
2019 March to 2019 April
The Hatch
289-2366 Main Mall, Vancouver BC
2017 - September - Solo Exhibition
Ace
10055-80.Ave.NW,Edmonton,AB
2017 - October - December - Exhibition
Mile Zero Gallery
Edmonton,AB
Artworks
2003 - Present
Steel Sculpture, Public Art
Whyte Avenue,Edmonton,AB
