Artist Tyler Gentry has created a symbolic painting of Roberts Creek that’s gaining attention for its magic and mystery.
“The painting is like a story,” Gentry told Coast Reporter. “It’s a symbolic portrayal and surreal journey through our homeland we call Roberts Creek.”
Hypnotic patterns and vivid colours draw the eye upward from the mandala, past the Gumboot, through the forest and into the mountain peak, where the energy seems to spill from.
Gentry said the picture’s story actually starts in the mountain top, “high above the influence of resource extraction.”
“As the story unfolds we descend into a network of logging roads, trails, human habitation and a collection of energies that now share the space,” he said.
The artist fondly portrays Crystal Creek near the centre of his painting as “a sacred place of gathering, sharing, teaching, playing and healing.”
Also given a place of honour in the painting is a collection of toadstools.
“Our mushrooms are our highest form of medicine,” Gentry said.
“The medicine is capable of healing the soul, feeding our mitochondria and restoring our DNA.”
The collection of diverse trees in the artwork are also important to the story.
“The trees are our protectors, they bring balance and shade to the life force,” Gentry said.
His portrayal of lower Roberts Creek gives the Gumboot prominence and the mandala in the lower right corner of the art piece sits occupied by spirit creatures.
“The mandala of life is shown as the fifth dimension enthnosphere,” Gentry said.
The painting has been gaining rave reviews and much discussion on-line and is now hanging at the Gold Moss Gallery in Roberts Creek for more to enjoy.
Gentry is thankful for the space to show his vision to the many who will come through this weekend during the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl. The Art Crawl runs from Oct. 19 to 21 and Gentry is one of 16 contemporary artists highlighted at Gold Moss during the event.
Born and raised on the Coast, Gentry is a self-taught artist who creates works of art in many varied mediums. His works include acrylic paintings, illuminated ice displays, delicate soapstone carvings, custom tables and photography.
His paintings are often described as abstract surrealism.
He is now working on his next painting, titled The Great Divide. “It’s a journey celebrating life and the perils of civilization evolving beyond its balance with nature,” he said.
