‘Forgotten Realms’ is an exhibition of recent work by contemporary visual artist Jon Canty, focusing on places and subjects that have been forgotten by society or the passage of time.

This exciting exhibition of dramatic paintings explores themes such as abandoned places, industrial architecture and ancient history. The collection includes work with bold and other-worldly colour palettes alongside others with a more monochromatic approach. The pieces demonstrate a mix of traditional painting styles and versatile mark making which combine to give depth to the work and a sense of the passage of time. Jon’s striking paintings are empowered with a sense of intrigue and atmosphere that encourages an emotional reaction by the viewer.

A number of the works in this exhibition were completed during various stages of lockdown during the pandemic. Whilst they do not directly address the events, they do show an indirect emotional response to the collective trauma that we all faced during that time.

Jon Canty is an Edinburgh based artist whose creative practice focuses on narrative based representational paintings exploring themes such as dystopia, urban decay and the human condition. Much of his work is inspired by his interest in architecture and the urban realm as well as his love of heavy metal music and horror films.

Over the last ten years Jon has taken his artistic career forward whilst balancing this endeavour with a career in town planning. In recent years he has pushed his practice to a deeper level through study including an Art Foundation Course at Edinburgh College and two years part time study in painting at the Leith School of Art.

Jon has participated in group shows in Edinburgh and across the UK. He has also had several solo exhibitions, most notably at the Studio Flamingosaurus Rex Gallery in Edinburgh in 2016 and ‘Utopia Banished’, his first solo show at Coburg House in March 2020. He has work in private collections in the UK, Germany, the USA and Australia.

OPENING TIMES

Friday 14th October 2022 (Opening Night) - 6pm to 9pm
Saturday 15th October 2022 - 11am to 4pm
Sunday 16th October 2022 - 11am to 4pm

Saturday 22nd October 2022 - 11am to 4pm
Sunday 23rd October 2022 - 11am to 4pm