Ross Ellsworth Penhall

Heffel Auction House Biography and Notes

Ross Penhall was born in 1959 in West Vancouver. He attended the studio art program at Capilano College and studied printmaking with internationally renowned print maker and Artists for Kids patron Wayne Eastcott. The strongest influence on his life and art has been living in the high contrast hillsides of Vancouver’s North Shore with its manicured boulevards and hedges combined with wild lush rainforest hideaways. He is widely recognized for his carefully composed and vibrant imagery depicting human intersection with the land. His stylized forms resonate with inviting spaces regardless of location and are responsible for his quick rise to fame in recent years. Ross Penhall is a disciplined and prolific artist who has exhibited annually since 1995. His work can be found in numerous private, corporate and public collections in the United States and in Canada. Ross Penhall’s generosity towards Artists for Kids and the Gordon Smith Gallery has been unparalleled, making a profound difference towards children and youth in British Columbia. The etching Reflected Corner was inspired by the manicured neighbourhoods of Vancouver’s west side and by Penhall's continual search for the perfect composition, which he often seeks through the use of mirrors. The mirror-image pattern of repeated shapes, dappled light and bold colours contrasting with the black paper background creates a dynamic diptych that is unmistakably Penhall. Established in 1989 by renowned BC artist-patrons Gordon Smith, Jack Shadbolt and Bill Reid, Artists for Kids was founded with the singular intent to support children, their art education and their future. Through art specialists, it provides enriching art-making experiences for thousands of students each year across Canada as well as professional development opportunities for educators. In 1990, the group published the first Artists for Kids Limited Edition Portfolio print, Xhuwaji / Haida Grizzly. This print by Reid, based on a ceremonial drum, marked the beginning of an extraordinary partnership with now more than 100 Canadian artists—from Kenojuak Ashevak to Ian Wallace—that has produced one of the most significant limited edition collections in the country. Proceeds from the sale of prints fund educational programs, artist residencies, art camps, scholarships, bursaries, and future acquisitions for Artists for Kids and the Gordon Smith Gallery Permanent Collection. Please note: this work is unframed. Please note: the full sheet size is 15 1/2 x 35 inches. To visit the Artists for Kids website please click here.