Dennis Ekstedt (Canadian, Born 1961) is a painter based in Vancouver, Canada. He received his Diploma in Fine Arts from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design in Vancouver, B.C in 1986, and his M.F.A from Concordia University in Montreal in 1993. In 2002, Ekstedt was awarded the Eastern Canada prize in the RBC Canadian Painting Competition, and his work can be found in numerous public, corporate, and private collections. Over the years, he has held many exhibitions and received multiple artist grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Quebec. Ekstedt's work has also been featured in publications such as Carte Blanche Vol 2-Painting (2008) and The RBC Painting Competition: 10 years (2008). He has collaborated with art consultants, including Soho Art Consulting, Kalisher, Art and Objects, and Tatar Art Projects. Currently, Ekstedt is represented by Herringer Kiss Gallery in Calgary, Alberta, Mark Moore Fine Arts in Los Angeles, and Nancy Toomey Fine Art in San Francisco.
In his work, Ekstedt explores the concept of human connectivity and our relationship to the planet. His paintings often depict human populations as networks of light particles, symbolizing their presence and impact on the landscape. He is also fascinated by the celestial and cosmological connections between humans and Earth, often incorporating imagery that reflects this relationship. Through his art, Ekstedt aims to highlight the interconnectivity of all things and the systems and patterns found in the universe.
In his recent series of paintings entitled "Monument to Nature," Ekstedt incorporates human-made monuments in his paintings of cityscapes at night. However, these monuments only add to the chaotic luminosity of the city and serve as a reflection of the misguided human attempt to pay tribute to nature. This series explores the tension between human impact and our aspirations for a harmonious relationship with the natural world.
Ekstedt's most recent exhibition, "Observers," delves into the theme of luminous phenomena and our perception of such events. The paintings often feature a silhouetted figure witnessing these phenomena, reminiscent of the Romantic Sublime style found in the works of Tonalists and Casper David Friedrich. However, Ekstedt's paintings offer a contemporary perspective on this theme, suggesting a possible connection between these encounters and the human subconscious.
