Roq La Rue is thrilled to present a mini solo of new works by Canadian based artist Ryan Heshka opening on Saturday, November 14th in Seattle, Washington. A long time staple in the gallery’s roster, Heshka’s singular style has made a splash in the contemporary art scene. His bright and dynamic paintings reference Golden Age sci fi pulp illustration, mid-century horror, and a dark enigmatic storytelling all of his own. Straddling the gorgeous and the grotesque, the primitive with the technological (albeit run amok), his works are humorous, unsettling, and deeply delightful. 

My paintings and drawings chase the dragon of the sense of wonder I strongly experienced as a child. Whether the piece is executed in oils, gouache, acrylic or colored pencil, my goal is to capture awe and mystery in every image. Early in my life comics, film and graphics were my artistic gateway, and taught me how to look at the world with an aesthetic eye. These are still the springboards for my paintings, although now inspiration comes from everywhere with no source being off limits. My primary prerequisite for a painting is that it must be something that would have pleased the child version of me: that is, it must be strange, colorful, vibrant, enigmatic, alive and allude to another time (past or future). My hope is to connect with the viewer through this collective core that we all share: this idea of our early, fresh and often confusing perceptions of the world. - Ryan Heshka