“The untrodden land is where things grow;

we find substance in the space between paths.”

– Joel Matthew Warkentin

 

The Nameless Boy who gave his name to Sunday is a collection of photographs and sculptures by multidisciplinary artist Joel Matthew Warkentin. Each of the photographs in the series focuses on a single figure interacting with abstract sculptural objects – representing sensory observations as they relate to experiences of sanctity, or spirituality. This exhibition prompts investigation into concepts that have traversed human history: ritual, spirituality, and symbolism.

 

In both his photographs and his sculptures, Warkentin makes use of a monochromatic colour palette and various types of natural wood to portray his concepts in a non-hierarchical, neutral way. This neutral colour field serves as a metaphor for common human experiences. His sculptures are made from wood sourced both locally and internationally. Wood is his chosen sculptural material because, the artists states, “It shows scars just like people do, it shows its age just like people do, and it comes in all shapes, sizes, and colours, just like people do.” In this way, Warkentin’s artworks abstractly explore concepts of sensory perception, symbolism, and universal spirituality but in a playful way that is accessible to any audience with some curiosity, imagination, and a willingness to discover new perspectives.