Into the Landscape

John Cole, Peter de Lory, John Lysak and Tara McDermott

“Into the Landscape,” is an exhibition that focuses on the grandeur of nature and nature as a site of interaction, celebrating human presence in the landscape and the outdoors as a place of exploration for artists.

John Cole’s distinctive, muscular style sublimely expresses the key features of the majestic Northwest landscape—water, mountains, and trees. In the 1990s, Cole embarked on a prolonged exploration of the human figure in the landscape, which included his Genesis series. This exploration united two significant branches of Cole’s artistic production—the iconic landscape that had become his signature subject matter and the figurative works that were so important to his studio practice. His paintings, situating the figure in the landscape, allowed for a new vision of unity and rejuvenation.

Peter de Lory has been photographing the American landscape for over 50 years, capturing images both poetic and austere. However, in this collection of black and white images de Lory has turned his camera from his formal subjects to the fellow walkers or hikers beside him, catching glimpses of people interacting in the land. In this time of social isolation, the artist delved into his archives creating a visual diary of past travels and studies of peopled landscapes.

A keen observer of nature, John Lysak’s soft, dreamy monotypes and watercolor paintings are saturated with pigments and reveal strong emotional undercurrents. Interpreting locales in different parts of the U.S., Lysak captures figures and landscapes with an imaginative and experimental approach, employing moody colors and atmosphere to render a somewhat fantastical space. His composition and choice of palette bring life to the everyday, heightening intensity and vividness within the scenes he depicts.

Tara McDermott explores the wild by embarking on frequent treks in Washington State. In search of solitude she seeks out remote trails, less traveled. Through photography McDermott captures grand vistas and the intimate details of nature. Her meditative Forest Portal series provide a glimpse into poignant discoveries along the way. Her unique textured pieces embellished with encaustic and India inks evoke an atmospheric sensibility.