Graeme Patterson: Secret Citadel

Contributors: Melissa Bennett, Ray Cronin, Louise Déry, Sarah Filmore, and Mike Landry

• 200 pages
• 12.0 x 12.0 in
• hardcover
• 9781554576197
• 2014

Graeme Patterson: Secret Citadel was published by Art Gallery of Hamilton and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and was supported by the Southern Alberta Art Gallery and Galerie de l'UQAM.  It covers the artist's major project, Secret Citadel, and was published on the occasion of Patterson's nationally touring solo exhibition.  Contributos include Sarah Filmore, Melissa Bennett, Mike Landry, Louise Déry, and Ray Cronin. 

Secret Citadel showcases Graeme Patterson’s spectacular and intricate multimedia installation, exploring the trials and tribulations of male friendship through a four-part sculptural/video installation and an experimental stop-motion animated narrative. Here, guided by subtle gestures and intense interactions, an anthropomorphic bison and cougar create a bond that spans all stages of maturity, playful creativity bringing them together and violent awkwardness tearing them apart.

Originating from Saskatoon, Graeme Patterson now lives and works in Sackville, NB.  His intention as an artist is to bring the viewer in to the world of play he exists in while creating miniature environments based on personal memories and experiences.  Graeme's inspiration comes from a desire to constantly develop an alternate reality that stimulates reflective engagement with universal themes of longing, loss and recovery.  Graeme's practice stems from a self-taught method of producing stop-motion animations but has expanded into building large video/sculptural installations.  These installations consist of animation, sculptural models, robotics, sound, music and some interactive elements.  Since graduating from NSCAD in 2002 his work has shown nationally and internationally including several solo exhibitions at significant Canadian art galleries.  Some of his recent accomplishments include; 2012 Canada Council for The Arts Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Award (media arts) Atlantic finalist for the 2009 and 2014 Sobey Art Award, finalist for the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award, and a 2011 Juno award nomination for album package of the year.