Winter Gathering Steven VolpeOrangeville, ON People's Choice Award - 2nd prize Size 36" x 42" Medium Oil on Canvas Based on a museum display, Winter Gathering implies ideas of loss: ecological, and more personally, the longing for the naive curiosity that I associate with my early songbird paintings. The title evokes the sentiment of the wildlife art genre, while referencing the act of gathering clues as a detective would. People's Choice Award - 2nd prize Winter Gathering Steven VolpeOrangeville, ON About the artist About the artist Steven VolpeOrangeville, ON Born in Mississauga, Ontario, Steven Volpe's journey to becoming a full-time artist included some important stops along the way: degrees in Fine Arts and Education, a teaching stint, and employment as a graphic designer. All have played a significant role in shaping his art. Steven is part of the tradition of figurative realism, but with a decidedly contemporary sensibility. His narrative paintings, characterized by visual irony and metaphor, are often political in tone, presenting subtle social commentary and a glimpse into human psychology. There is a quality of postmodern irreverence that often finds its way into his work, revealed through compelling images such as a potential book burning, a breached parliamentary barrier, or a dismantled statue. Represented by Ingram Gallery in Toronto, Steven has exhibited in Ontario and Quebec, garnering awards along the way. His home and studio are located in Orangeville, Ontario where he lives with his wife, Wendy. Follow on social