Identity, Existence, and Change: Art by B.A. Martel
Warm and Fuzzy, acrylic on wood
B.A. Martel is an artist currently based on Canada’s West Coast. Martel spent much of their childhood in South America and Africa, and has travelled extensively as an adult. The artist’s work showcases a wide range of aesthetic and cultural influences while dealing with themes of identity, existence, and change.
Cold Winter's Day, acrylic on wood
Martel’s latest series, Hodi Mihi Cras Tibi -- Today Me, Tomorrow You, deals with death and dying, and the psychological aspects of contemplating one’s own mortality. The paintings in this series are colourful and have an almost playful edge to them -- skeletons, skulls, and other macabre subjects are tempered with bright colours and bright symbolism.
In the gallery, Martel showcases some of their sketches for this series, and even these works carry a certain playful, explorative edge. One gets the sense that the artist spent time thinking about their own mortality while building this series encouraging others to do the same. The idea fosters a great sense of connection between artist and audience.
