Saugeen and Beyond

Allan Simpson

July 2005

Allan Simpson draws on his years in France, his travels, and his life in Grey, Bruce, and Muskoka as an inspiration for landscapes infused with the ephemeral play of shadows, lights, and colour. The pleasure he derives from working his garden and cultivating flowers is reflected in the glowing colours which drench his flowers and trees. They often set the scene for an escape back into childhood themes, or as symbols of remembrance, regret, and promise of rebirth. A love of music and theatre influences the flowing curvaceous lines, with the juxtaposition of bright light and receding depths of darkness, resulting in studied dramatic contrasts.

In paintings, such as Ascending and For Delphine, we can see the human aspiration towards the spiritual, efforts to reach out to transcending forces that draw us up from the routine day to day life. Explorations into childhood imaginary scenes (Beyond the Opening Gate, Growing a Vision), underline the attempt to catch time and hold it or to reach back in time through our own children.

Optimism, the power we hold to make a difference, and the pleasure of escaping into worlds we create are reflected in the artist’s themes.