Peter Deacon

Born in England in 1945, Peter Deacon studied at the Portsmouth College of Art, the University of Wales and the Slade School of Art, University College, University of London before coming to Canada where he has taught art at the University of Calgary since 1975. His work is in numerous public and corporate collections, including Air Canada, Esso Resources, Grant MacEwan College (Edmonton), Husky Oil, Imperial Oil, MacKenzie Art Gallery (Regina), Morgan Bank (New York), Nova Corporation, Toronto Dominion Bank and the Victoria and Alberta Museum (England).

The work in this exhibition evolves from an extended series of work related directly to an interchange between western and eastern values, most particularly symbolized by the continental divide located near Banff. Many pieces are sheets of copper, which have been etched and painted. Deacon then places them in specific locations on the continental divide, where their surface is well suited to record changes and events. The copper is highly durable yet soft enough to retain a record of physical contact and exposure to the elements. It also responds sensitively to oxidization induced by chemical changes and these reactions usually result in a beautiful blue/green patina. Hence, the copper plates have been 'exposed' to the influences of the environment at those sites and to the influences of the artist whose personal experiences suffer the same combination of unexpected events and predictable cycles as the natural environment.

Over the past fifteen years Peter Deacon has been involved in an extended series of work titled, "Facing West - Looking East". During the process of producing this work much residual material has accumulated. The contemplation of this material and its associations has resulted in a new series of mixed media pieces, many of which incorporate the word "Fragments" in their title. The word refers metaphorically to fragmented memories and associations whereby previous experiences in life, both geographical and temporal have become displaced and restructured. It also refers literally to the use of fragments as collage elements in the work. Fragments of personal writings, fragments of correspondence, maps, sketches, photographs, etc; including fragments of, and references to, earlier work. A symbiotic relationship of continual adjustment and give and take between the influence of the environment and the influence of the artist is central to the concept of Deacon's work.

Facing West, Looking East, Site #204
etched copper plate, 12 in x 48 in