Fear Hope and Longing III: Paintings of the Pacific Northwest
Visual Space Gallery
3352 Dunbar Street, Vancouver, BC
November 24 – December 7, 2016

About “Fear, Hope and Longing”

For more than 10 years, David Haughton has visited the remote town of Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island during storm season, November through February. Fascinated by the changing light and colours of the sea, the off-shore islands and secluded beaches, Haughton has created thousands of sketches, paintings and photos of the region.

The Fear, Hope & Longing paintings are a lens through which the artist channels his emotions and experiences of the wild Pacific coast. “Fear” captures the adrenaline rush he feels while surfing in the cold winter ocean, with the thrill and danger of being alone in giant dark waves. In his images of dawn, he paints the pure, clear early light and sense of “hope” in the morning air. “Longing” expresses his acute yearning during the intense, fiery sunsets – a response to a heightened sense of his own mortality, coupled with a passionate feeling of nostalgia for the world.

To these emotions and memories, Haughton adds a third layer of artistic expression. Tilted horizons slightly unsettle the viewer and convey a sense of being at sea. Highly charged colours and dramatic contrasts between light and dark bestow an exaggerated perspective on the exploding seas and skies, especially as viewed through the window of a cabin on the beach. The most successful works combine his strong personal responses to nature with the confidence of a mature artistic expression.

Mia Johnson