DaveandJenn: Thinner Skin, Thicker Hide

We often focus on the shifting boundaries between the real and the imagined in everyday life and how these can distort our sense of ourselves, of others, and of the world around us. These distortions are so influential, but often we are completely unaware of them. Our biases, fears, hopes, and delusions run the show.

There is also a sense that the centre won't hold, that things will fall apart. That there is a reckoning looming. But then what? What comes after the delusions crumble, the forests fade and the lines are crossed? One thing ends, another begins. We are inextricably tied to the world around us, each person and thing, a landscape moving in between the micro and macro, sifting through the growing noise. Our work is the result of different landscapes being layered together. Our material choices often reflect this. Historical mediums like bronze and plaster being combined with plastic and resins. It's an aggregate of a time and place. And science, history, daily life, western mythology, pop culture… it's all in there. Because it's all around us. We make art from noise.

DaveandJenn, also sometimes, maybe, known as David John Foy and Jennifer Saleik, have been working together since 2004. Their varied practice weaves a long view of both human and natural histories together with the more closed off realms of private spectacles and inner landscapes. DaveandJenn have been western semi-finalists for the RBC’s Canadian Painting Competition (2006 and 2009), awarded the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Biennial Emerging Artist Award (2010) and long listed for the Sobey Art Award (2011). They work and live in Calgary, Alberta.