“Peter Gough, born 1947, is a Nova Scotian artist. His 2010 acrylic painting on canvas entitled Against the Sea is my primary inspiration, although I do admire other pieces of his work. I live in Nova Scotia and the sea provides a backdrop to many things I see daily. The sea is a living object, framing both natural and handmade structures. It changes with wind, light and activity. Gough’s website describes this painting as “imbued with a luminosity that transcends realism”. In my oil painting, Drunken Lampposts, I have tried to capture how the sky’s light is reflected by the ocean, highlighting the stark lines of the wharf and their structures. I wanted to capture a moment of peace before the busy Halifax waterfront erupted with the daily bustle; a time to breathe and reflect on the beauty around me.”

—Anwyn Davies (Grade 12, King’s-Edgehill School, Windsor, Nova Scotia)

Peter Gough (1947-2020) was a contemporary Nova Scotian artist whose dedicated artistic practice focused on the natural wonders of the rural landscape and its careful rendering through strategies connected to realism and a deep sense of connection to the physical milieus he brought to life in his work.