The online art magazine COLOSSAL frequently reports on slightly bizarre works of art. Recently, the magazine published an article about the Canadian artist Jeff Bartel, who integrates photorealistic vintage cameras into facades and urban scenes in his oil paintings.
“Surveillance Speed Graphic” (2021), oil on linen, 30 x 30 inches. All images © Jeff Bartels, taken from Colossal
About his series Surveillance, Bartel says there: “I’m not sure it’s possible to walk down a city street these days and not be caught on a camera somewhere, either by choice or not even knowing about it.”
“Surveillance Rolleiflex” (2021), oil on linen, 24 x 30 inches
COLLOSAL writes about Bartel’s work: “Situated in urban settings with a distinctly retro flair, the works nestle vintage cameras among architecture and infrastructural elements. Oversized lenses, knobs, and levers echo the shapes of windows and doorways with branding imitating signs for shops and restaurants.”
“Surveillance C16” (2022), oil on linen, 24 x 20 inches
And continues: “Sandwiching the devices between cafes and storefronts or subway stairs, Bartels explores the ubiquity of cameras and how they’re embedded into modern life. “If you look at the people in the paintings, none of them are doing anything particularly noteworthy or interesting. They are all just living their lives in front of a camera, some by choice, some oblivious to that fact,” he shares, noting that the surreal scenes aren’t intended to be altogether sinister. Privacy concerns aside, the paintings also speak to the increased prevalence of photographs and the ability to document and share even the most mundane moments on social media.”
“Surveillance Electric Eye” (2021), oil on linen, 30 x 20 inches
See all the “surveillance”-pictures of Jeff Bartel in the COLLOSAL article and find more on Instagram.
About Colossal
Called the “Tate Modern of the Internet,” Colossal is an international platform for contemporary art and visual expression that explores a vast range of creative disciplines. With an archive of over 6,700 articles written by twelve contributors, we pride ourselves in celebrating the work of both emerging and established artists through an ongoing commitment to make art accessible to everyone. Our coverage explores visual culture through the latest in fine art, design, modern craft, street art, photography, illustration, science, and animation.
Colossal is designed to serve as an online gallery of visually spectacular artwork, while seeking to educate and inform rather than criticize or interpret. Through this effort, Colossal is used as inspiration and instruction in classrooms across the arts and sciences from grade school through graduate school. Via our website, newsletters, and social media impressions, Colossal reaches an estimated 10 million monthly readers.
In a world brimming with information overload, environmental catastrophe, capitalism run amok, and social injustice, we curate Colossal to focus on the most positive, diverse, and impactful stories around the issues we care about most. It is our intent to amplify the voices of artists working toward a more equitable and environmentally-friendly future by utilizing innovation, unexpected materials, humor, spectacle, and vast reserves of skill and hope.
Colossal was founded in 2010 by writer and curator Christopher Jobson. Over the last decade, we have been honored with accolades by The National Endowment for the Arts, TED, and PBS Art21. Colossal won the UTNE Media Award for Arts Coverage and has been nominated for a Webby.
