Kostuik Gallery is pleased to present a solo exhibition of new paintings by Stephen Hutchings. “Weather is always on our mind, especially when the weather is “bad”, or ominous, like a heavy rain, strong winds, storm clouds, and thunder and black skies. Then the weather becomes an inconvenience, perhaps a challenge or even a threat. The term “pathetic fallacy” is used in art and literature to describe weather that mirrors our inner state. The paintings in this body of work all denote a weather event that can be associated with an emotion or subjective response. They serve not only as forecasts of the weather, but also as metaphors of our human condition.”-  Stephen Hutchings, 2023 All of Hutchings paintings consist of a charcoal drawing, which is the element that separates him from the typical painter.  The energy of a drawn image is masterly mixed with soft and dramatic oil tints presenting depictions of heightened light qualities. Hutchings in essence is a master of Chiaroscuro: an effect of contrasted light and shadow created by light falling unevenly or from a particular direction on the artist’s chosen subject matter.  Over the past three decades, Stephen Hutchings’s work has been featured in numerous large-scale museum exhibitions across Canada. His work is included in many important corporate, public and private collections. Hutchings currently lives in New Brunswick. He has been represented by Jennifer Kostuik Gallery since 2000.