The Entangled Argument
The Entangled Argument
Kelsey Galbraith
Through the process of abstract painting I began the process of addressing the loaded issues associated with industrial development and impact paired with the reality and influences that these industries have on various areas of personal and public domains. Born and raised in South-eastern Alberta, the oil and gas industry has fundamentally shaped my life by providing my family, both immediate and extended, with economic security and freedom. Through a disputatious statement, this is simply the mere reality of not only my personal life, but could also speak to a global scale. My curiosity of addressing this subject within a visual context grew into questions revolving around resource extraction, and reclamation and the dependent relationship between the two.
After spending a significant amount of time within the local region of South Western Alberta, I developed a connection between the demands of the resource industry fronted with the demands for the protection and reclamation of this regions land and resources. By collecting a number of photographs taken by myself or by those I personally know working within the industry, I integrate the various industrial images as source material for my paintings. By visually engaging the complicated relationship between the two issues, I am not to side with one or the other, but to alternatively provide a visual platform for conversations to manifest.
Though I am working with a specific source, most of my choices are based upon a reaction/action response. This allows for me to acknowledge the formal questions of painting and in part enable my emotions, my perspective and my experience to become fundamental element to the paintings as well. revisiting the images and personal feelings towards this subject influence and inform my creative process, thus translating both subtle and revealing awareness upon the surface.
– Kelsey Galbraith