Artist Andrews makes a comeback

Now, at 65, he is presenting his first professional exhibition, 'Ruminations' at Victoria Hall.

“There are elements of complexity and a sense of enigma in my work because I got really good at painting quite late in my life,‿ said Andrews, describing his paintings and drawings. “I’m trying to sort things out in my life. I don’t know where it is going and how it is.‿

Andrews originally studied drawing and sculpture part-time at Concordia University (Sir George Williams at the time). But with a daughter on the way, he put away his art materials and pursued a career in computer science instead. Five years ago, he decided to pick up where he left off by enrolling in painting courses at the Visual Arts Centre.

“As a student, he liked to take risks,‿ said his former art teacher, Maral Garabedian. “The more risks you take, the more you will discover.‿

His collection 'Ruminations', referring to his personal reflections on the state of the world, confronts provoking themes surrounding the human body, nature, human existence, war and violence. Ironically, his work is composed of soft pastel colors such as yellows, greens and purples—a seditious way to startle the viewer. Andrews challenges the laws of composition by positioning objects such as cannons, skulls and guns in playful landscapes of peaceful colors.

“Sometimes abstraction or a surreal juxtaposition of content or the visualization of the human figure can set off an inner dialog for the viewer,‿ said Andrews who loves to draw the human body from live models. “I am very taken up by what it means to be human and responsible in our local world and of our connection to ancient humans.‿

Andrews utilized newspaper clippings and photographs as a starting point for his reflection on politically charged paintings. He was inspired by Philip Guston, known as the hero of abstract expressionism, who skimmed through books as a source of imagery and ideas in the early twentieth century.

“Everything I present is about my questioning of the world,‿ said Andrews. “If it evokes something in me, than, it would evoke something in someone else. It’s a communication process.‿

According to his art teacher Garabedian, he has had a breakthrough in developing his own approach to post-impressionism. She highlighted his latest piece Consequences, consisting of 9 panels of 24 inches by 36 inches each, which is an elaborate visual narrative that brings together war, animals, human existence and the environment. The artist’s personal style of painting is characterized by rough edges, uneven lines and asymmetrical curves.

“The colors are amazing and how they fit with a subject that’s so heavy duty and dramatic,‿ said Garabedian as she was seduced by the beauty of the colors and then, suddenly shaken up by its political message.

Évangeline Sadler, a former classmate who took art classes with Andrews at the Visual Arts Centre two years ago, was also shocked by his work.

“You approach it by looking at the colors and you think ‘oh what a lovely painting’ and then its only when you approach it that you see the clues that the message is much darker,‿ said Sadler. “There’s always a bit of a startle moment ‘Oh My! He has a gun!’‿

Andrews has been teaching computer science at Vanier College for over 30 years. His colleagues, history professors Eric Lamoureux and Miles Denora, were impressed by his provocative use of color and his inherent ability to draw the human body.

“One thing that surprised me was how prolific he is,‿ said Denora, as he referred to his numerous works dated 2005. “I wouldn’t have guessed that he spends so much of his time painting. It’s obvious that this is his passion.‿

Lamoureux also thought Andrews had a great sense of style and proportion. He described his work colleague as a “soulful and insightful artist.‿

'Ruminations' also includes self-portraits, portraits and landscapes. It will remain on exhibit in the Gallery at Victoria Hall, 4626 Sherbrooke St. W., through Feb. 10.