A new series of paintings by Nova Scotia-based artist Jazz Keillor (previously featured here). Recently on display at Katzman Art Projects, “Paradise” explores the invisible walls that delineate our collective ideas of wilderness. Reflecting on how outdoor experiences bring a sense of joy, Keillor contemplates the contradictory frameworks that pave the way for this enjoyment:

“The word paradise can be traced to the ancient Persian word Pairidaeza, which refers to a walled enclosure, pleasure park or garden. When Banff National Park was founded in 1887, the area was officially designated as a ‘pleasure ground,’ the same term used to describe the part of an English garden dedicated solely to the enjoyment of its owner. Jon Muir once referred to the North American continent in its entirety as a wild garden. What does it mean that this ‘garden’ has been stolen, sliced and sold as a quintessential national pastime over the past 150 years?”