Stefan Berg: Twin Tunnels

For Raymond Moriyama 1929 - 2023

United Contemporary is pleased to present Twin Tunnels, a new series of paintings by Stefan Berg. Approached through an autobiographical lens, Berg's process combines direct observation with recollections from memory, producing paintings over extended durations of time. For Berg, the works transcend mere looking; they are about truly seeing and responding to evocative moments, landscapes, and interiors that resonate with him. 

A number of paintings in Twin Tunnels depict recurring forms, either doubled or reflected. These compositions frame pathways: windows and corridors leading from one space to another. Whether painting outdoors or in his studio, Berg’s practice is influenced by the weather, necessitating a tempo for the shifting seasons.

‘Early Morning Interior’ draws inspiration from Christiane Pflug’s 'Interior at Night', while 'Little Street' alludes to Johannes Vermeer’s oeuvre. The visual connections became evident only after Berg began painting, initiated from life. 'Toronto Reference Library' illustrates the duration of Berg's creative process. Having started the painting in 2015, he set aside his efforts on numerous occasions, returning to it in its various stages. For Berg, the revisiting of his paintings serve as a challenge to maintain a visible record of contemplation and the journey to discovery. 

Stefan Berg received a BFA from OCAD University in 2008, along with the Solomon Painting Award and Eric Freifeld Award. His work has been exhibited in Canada, the United States and Europe, and featured in the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, and the Telegram Journal. Berg would like to acknowledge funding support from the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario.