In "Further Evidence of Human Presence", Joss Richer—a Fredericton-based sculptor—ties together several bodies of work on the theme of evolution. His Doors and Palimpsests Series reveal glimpses of his personal story as flotsam partially buried in layers of paper—recycled drawings, readings, musings, journal entries, found objects and so on. Joss then blurs the line between landscape and the human figure through a series of relief sculptures in metal.

This exhibition opens at the Andrew and Laura McCain Art Gallery at 7pm on April 23 and runs until May 22.

Statement

In this exhibition, I have attempted to tie together several bodies of work on the theme of evolution, both from a personal and global perspective. Using as metaphor the geological record as described in Darwin's "Origin of Species", my Doors and Palimpsest Series aim to reveal glimpses of my personal story as intimate flotsam partially buried in layers of paper—recycled drawings, readings, musings, journal entries, found objects and memorabilia gathered over the course of a life still unfolding.

Spinning the metaphor on its head, I then attempt to blur the line between landscape and the human figure through a series of semi-abstract relief sculptures. Pressing, folding and pounding aluminum sheets with hand and fist, it felt like I was re-enacting on a small scale what humans have been doing to the earth since they first appeared on it.

Biography

Joss Richer was born in Montreal and has lived in Fredericton since 1994. A sculptor and draughtsman, Joss has always had an interest in visual arts. He has attended classes and workshops in drawing, painting, metalwork, clay and art theory for the NB College of Craft & Design, the University of new Brunswick, and Saint Thomas University.

Surfaces fascinate Joss and he takes great pleasure in playing with them. Bold and curious, he enjoys working with various media and combining techniques. His body of work includes charcoal and ink drawings, metal and clay reliefs, as well as stone and plaster sculptures. Joss favors a semi-figurative approach to his work, with a strong emphasis on form, texture and finish. He combines his interest in the human figure, and in cosmology, the origins of life and its evolution, to create artwork where human and natural forms blend organically.