Mike Bayne

Norman Rogers Winter, Mike Bayne, 2009. Harbourfront Centre.

As the featured work for the winter Architecture Exhibition at Harbourfront Centre, Mike Bayne's paintings are just amazing to look at.
Paintings!
It's meticulous representation of common buildings of Ontario is easily mistaken for a photograph, especially when it is painted on 4x6 panel.



Norman Rogers Winter, Mike Bayne, 2009. Harbourfront Centre.

It is something you have to see it in person. Before the exhibition, I saw them on website. Though I read its description, 4x6 panel, it didn't really strike to me how detailed it was, until I saw it on the wall. It was unbelievable.

Most of the people walking into the gallery glance at them and think 'photos of my neighbourhood... okay...' and walk away. As soon as I tell them they are paintings, it's either 'wow I can't believe it' and 'why would you paint something so dull'


Norman Rogers Winter, Mike Bayne, 2009. Harbourfront Centre.

Unfortunately, I don't really see paintings like these anymore besides from art books of Dutch masters. The exhibition gave me the great pleasure in staring at the tiny rectangle of millions and billions of tiny brushstrokes when I want to (not that I can see each brush strokes but...), right at work, and I am thankful.
It is true, I have grown more interests in photography lately, but in our digital world, Bayne's paintings are like finding gold in your backyard.


BGM, Norman Rogers Winter, Mike Bayne, 2009. Harbourfront Centre.
My favourite. (click to see a bigger detailed photo of the image)
Especially the water reflection, it just took my breath away. Having stared at them for so long, my eyes almost got cross-eyed. Up close or from far, they are astonishingly beautiful.



This is the painting in action....

Unfortunately he didn't come to the opening so I missed my chance to meet him in flesh. But I found this interview.. and will settle for it, for now.
go to: Mike Bayne's interview with BlogTO


more of Bayne's amazing paintings at Katharine Mulherin Contemporary.
go to: Mike Bayne @ Katharine Mulherin Contemporary