Ian Cunliffe: The Sketchy Side of West Vancouver

Where: Municipal Hall, 750 17th Street, West VancouverIan Cunliffe self-portrait sketch. This color pen and ink sketch depicts a white man with blue eyes, short grey hair, and a grey beard. He is smiling with a closed mouth.

Artist statement

My sketches centre around the "sense of place" that we all share living, working, or having grown up here in West Vancouver. I strive to capture the joy, nostalgia, and whimsy that I experience when exploring our community with my sketching gear. I hope my work will assist viewers in deepening their connection to this extraordinary place we are fortunate to call home.

Artist bio

Ian Cunliffe is a local artist whose sketches focus on daily life in West Vancouver. Ian primarily works in pen and ink. His art has been featured in the North Shore News and showcased in various North and West Vancouver galleries. Additionally, his pieces have been exhibited at the Harmony Arts Festival and featured in the 2024 "You are Here" calendar, highlighting North Shore art and artists. Ian uses his art to narrate stories about growing up in West Vancouver and life on the North Shore. As a child, it was nearly impossible to see him without a pencil in his hand, as he was always engrossed in sketching. Ian's work is strongly influenced by the English sketching tradition, drawing inspiration from English sketchers such as Tony Ross, Quentin Blake, and David Gentleman.

Art in the Hall is presented by the Ferry Building Gallery to showcase visual artists from across the North Shore. For purchase inquiries, please contact the Ferry Building Gallery at [email protected] or 604-925-7290.