“Canadian art has always held a special place in my heart, and as I grow older, I have begun to appreciate the work of artists such as Alex Colville, who managed to capture ordinary moments and transform them into dynamic art compositions that captivate audiences. Alex Colville does so using an incredible attention to detail, exceptional talent, and of course, dramatic tension. Inspired by Colville’s Cyclist and Crow, I wanted to explore this concept and create my own fictional work. In the midst of vast waters, beneath an azure sky devoid of clouds, a lone fisher enjoys his rather dull day. Little does he know that a fearsome creature is heading straight for his boat. With the effect of dramatic tension, viewers hold their breath—waiting for the illusion of peace to shatter.”

–Jade Amberg (Grade 9, Colonel By Secondary School, Ottawa, Ontario)

Maritimes artist Alex Colville (1920–2013) created representational works that probe the meaning of being human, often imbuing scenes from everyday life with a sense of dramatic tension.