PROJECT STATEMENT

This collection is inspired by Wilson’s time at the Cassiar Cannery Long Residency, completed in Spring 2022. The residency is jointly organised by the Cannery and the Prince Rupert Arts Council and gives artists a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the unique landscape and culture of BC’s North Coast.

The north coast of BC is a particular part of the world. It displays many of the landscape and cultural elements seen elsewhere in the province but has evolved a particular character and mindset, due to its remoteness.

The north coast economy has long revolved around natural resource exploitation and trade. This has left the area susceptible to changes largely out of the control of its residents and has resulted in a particular history of boom & bust economics. This exhibition looks at how this boom & bust pattern expresses itself in a natural and built legacy unique to this part of BC.

ARTIST BIO

​Jeff Wilson grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland & trained as a structural geologist.  He worked in mineral exploration around the world, settling in Vancouver in 2004.  He subsequently took evening classes at Emily Carr University, kick-starting a hobby that transitioned to a full-time art practice in 2013.

Jeff has received a number of awards, including Finalist in the inaugural Saltspring National Art Prize & appearing in the recent “Landscape Artist of the Year Canada” TV show. Jeff has completed residencies at the Booth in Shetland, Parks Canada’s Art in the Park, the Wallace Stegner House and the Cassiar Cannery.

Commercial representation includes Gray Sky Gallery (Seattle, WA), Hambleton Galleries (Kelowna, BC), Kube Gallery (Fort Langley, BC), Lipont Gallery (Richmond, BC) and Van Dop Gallery (New Westminster, BC)

Jeff Wilson is based out of Portside Studios in Vancouver.