Stephen Cole Fine Art
Gabriola, BC
Visual Artist and sculptor who creates thought-provoking and evocative sculpture captured in stone, wood, metal, glass and resin.
Message
Stephen Cole is a self-taught, multifaceted visual artist and sculptor. He started carving at 14, drawing at 16 and painting oils at 20. Stephen is a member of the Sculptor’s Society of BC and Vancouver Island Sculptors Guild.
His body of work while at first glance may seem extremely diverse have the same underlying theme. It is about love, connection, responsibility, and the recognition that he sees no boundary between you, me, or eternity. Ultimately, we are all parts of the same entity. We are here to collaborate not dominate.
While stone carvings have the strongest connection for Stephen, he also loves to explore the combination of different and dissimilar mediums. You will find stone, hydrostone, concrete, wood, metal, glass, cold cast bronze, resin, pigments and metal in these unique sculptures and wall art. Paintings are still a passion for Stephen as he explores different mediums and techniques. He uses acrylics, mixed media, resin, pigments, cold cast bronze on canvas, board and glass.
Stephen has participated in many studio tours on Gabriola, group exhibitions on Vancouver Island and Vancouver, and Solo shows at the McMillan Arts Centre and Free Spirit Gallery & Shop. His sculptures have won several awards, and he was chosen as one of 50 artists to participate in the 2020 Global Art Festival in Gujarat, India. There he carved and created two sculptures at the Global Arts Village, and they are now on display at the White Rann of Kutch in Gujarat.
Statement
Often art is a depiction of a moment in an artist’s life, but for me it is a roadmap from that moment out. It's the working diagram of how I get from here to where I want to be.
Sculpture is a journey – the recording of a story. The pieces seem to have a life of their own and I just have to carve and follow the lines. In return, they show me what I need to see, tell me what I need to hear.
Relationships and connections are important to me. I love to bring dissimilar materials together to create thought-provoking and intriguing mixed media sculptures. They celebrate their differences while encouraging us to do the same.
Art is my teacher, healer and friend.