Over the last ten years I have developed a body of narrative paintings that incorporate elements of political and art history, culture, advertising and the mass media. My current series of work uses the genre of landscape painting to explore contemporary ideas about architecture and the environment in which it exists. These paintings depict buildings and houses offered for sale in on Vancouver Island. The enigmatic images—sourced from real estate advertisements—raise economic, cultural and personal questions about the homes, apartments and businesses we inhabit. An important theme running through my work is the relationship between the structure and its setting. I want to highlight the interplay between the natural environment and the buildings, lawns and carefully trimmed shrubbery imposed upon it. I am fascinated by the ceaseless cycle of clearing, building, maintaining and rebuilding visible in our surroundings.

I find that oil paint is an effective means of conveying my intentions. The seductiveness of the medium underscores the inherent beauty of even the most banal architecture. I also believe it allows for more subjective handling of composition, colour and content thereby enhancing the narrative aspect of each piece. I enjoy using this traditional technique to depict scenes not commonly thought of as aesthetically acceptable. The use of construction materials like plywood, board and polyester film as painting surfaces is an integral part of my process. I value the interplay of industrial materials and oil paint. Robert Randall March 2005