Sum Of

A botanist and former naturalist for Parks Canada, Ilana Manolson still walks through nature every day. While she used to paint directly from life for years, her recent works are primarily made from recollection. They aim to merge and connect many miles of disparate stretches of landscape, fusing a variety of impressions into a singular image. Skillfully layered, Manolson’s subjects range from views of epic expanse to close studies of nature’s intricate details. Many of these she observes by revisiting particular places repeatedly, making the passing of time a central notion of her work and with that the fragility of existence.