Arts·Art Minute

In a world flooded with imagery, painter Steve Baylis uses abstract art to escape

He paints abstractly instead of representationally to allow the viewer to "contemplate their own meanings."

He paints abstractly instead of representationally to allow the viewer to 'contemplate their own meanings'

(CBC Arts)

As he moves through the world, Vancouver painter Steve Baylis is surrounded by imagery — but not necessarily in a good way.

"We're inundated with images every day," he says, "whether it's advertising, lifestyle images, trying to persuade us to buy something or selfies of people that are insecure."

"But I want my art to be an escape from that."

Watch the video:

Art Minute: Steve Baylis

6 years ago
Duration 1:01
For Steve Baylis, abstract art allows the viewer to "contemplate their own meanings."

In his eyes, painting abstractly instead of representationally allows the viewer to "contemplate their own meanings" with his art as the starting off point. He believes everyone shares in a "universal creative energy," and he tries to tap into that energy in his paintings in order to help us connect.

See more of his work below:

(Steve Baylis)
(Steve Baylis)
(Steve Baylis)

Art Minute is a CBC Arts series taking you inside the minds of Canadian artists to hear what makes them tick and the ideas behind their work.