Artist Statement – Sandy Van Iderstine (2024–2025 Collection)

Sandy Van Iderstine brings us her most recent collection. Created in her New York and Toronto studios, these paintings represent 2024 and 2025 to date.

The genesis of these works can be found in palette shavings retrieved from the painting process. Van Iderstine collects, archives and considers these palette skins. 

This studio ephemera – these relics of creative activity - are then revivified as the material basis for her new paintings. They serve as both starting point and through line for the delectation of painting as a cumulative endeavor and the natural world as the undergirding source of sustenance.

The artist states; “My work invites the viewer to explore a unique interplay of shapes, colours, transparencies and textures to create a dynamic and engaging visual experience.” 

These paintings invite us into spaces far bigger than the form in which they are contained. Van Iderstine’s attention to detail - every square inch is meditated upon in order to illuminate the whole – eschews artifacts, providing us with an immersive adventure, peering through flora and circumnavigating clouds on a wave of iridescence.

With precision and natural depth Van Iderstine provokes thoughts of Constable and Turner, up close and candid.

“Indigo” – Exhibition Statement (2024)

After studying art history, my career as a senior fashion executive traveling throughout the world visiting art galleries, museums and art fairs, conversing with artists, curators, writers and gallerists has enriched my passion for art. More recently I have been involved with the Modern.Toronto, a contemporary private art museum, and I assisted my partner Ben Woolfitt with the execution of his exhibition and catalogue “Rhythms and Series “ at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Being immersed in the art world and having the opportunity to see many outstanding works of art, with exposure to the distinctive techniques of historical work by great artists like Van Gogh, Cezanne and Turner and 20th century painters such as Matisse, Avery and Frankenthaler inspired me to experiment with paint to express myself creatively.

For this new exhibition titled “Indigo”, I utilized the colour Payne’s Grey (Indigo) with washes and collaging. I enjoy working with this dramatic colour as it produces rich shadows with subtle blue undertones which emerge when diluted with mediums, gels and water. The collaged pieces are acrylic skins from the palette which provide textural contrast when applied to the canvas . Together they produce a mysterious and layered surface.

My paintings are done flat so that I can view the piece from above. I continue adding layers by pouring or spreading the paint and if the work seems tentative or disjointed, I make drastic changes to strengthen the piece. I use a palette knife to manipulate the paint to balance the density, space, texture and colour until it is cohesive image.

After numerous shows in Canada, I am excited to present my work in a solo show at Adjacent to Life Gallery, 341 East 10 th Street, in the East Village, New York City from May 4 - 30, 2024.